We extracted the spatial characteristics of the health-related behaviors of 1223 older adults of Tujia, Yao, Miao and Dong ethnicity living in 20 villages in western Hunan, considering three dimensions: spontaneously healthy, health-necessary, and mentally healthy behavior. We constructed separate prediction models using logistic regression, support vector machine, categorical boosting, random decision forest, light gradient boosting machine, and extreme gradient boosting. We then combined these models with Shapley additive explanations to complete a global explanatory analysis to explore the correlation between location and the health behaviors of older adults of different ethnicities living in villages. The support vector model and gradient boosting tree models produced the most accurate simulations of the health behaviors of older adults. We found significant differences in the health behaviors of the older adults in the different villages, noting the preferences of the older adults of specific ethnicities. This study provides a reference for the excavation of the health behavior of older adults and the aging design of village spaces.

In southern Hunan province, a vital element of China’s architectural cultural legacy, the quality of the indoor lighting environment influences physical performance and the transmission of spatial culture. The province encounters minor environmental disparities and diminishing liveability attributed to evolving construction practices and cultural standards. The three varieties of traditional residences in Shanggantang Village are employed to assess the daylight factor (DF), illumination uniformity (U0), daylight autonomy (DA), and useful daylight illumination (UDI). We subsequently integrate field measurements with static and dynamic numerical simulations to create a multi-dimensional analytical framework termed “measured-static-dynamic”. This method enables the examination of the influence of floor plan layout on light, as well as the relationship between window size, building configuration, and natural illumination. The lighting factor (DF) of the core area of the central patio-type residence reaches 27.7% and the illumination uniformity (U0) is 0.62, but the DF of the transition area plummets to 1.6%; the composite patio type enhances the DF of the transition area to 1.2% through the alleyway-assisted lighting, which is a 24-fold improvement over the offset patio type. Parameter optimization showed that the percentage of all-natural daylighting time (DA) in the edge zone of the central patio type increased from 21.4% to 58.3% when the window height was adjusted to 90%. The results of the study provide a quantitative basis for the optimization of the light environment and low-carbon renewal of traditional residential buildings.

Clarifying the coordination and impediments of social, economic, and spatial connection in rural areas is essential for advancing rural revitalization, urban-rural integration, and regional coordinated development. Utilizing the 24 counties and districts in western Hunan as case studies, we developed an evaluation index system for sustainable rural development across three dimensions: social, economic, and spatial. We employed the coupling model, coordination model, and obstacle factor model to investigate the comprehensive development level, coupling and coordination status, and obstacle factors of the villages in the study area at three temporal points: 2002, 2012, and 2022. The findings indicate the following: (1) The degree of rural development in western Hunan has escalated swiftly throughout the study period, transitioning from relative homogeneity to a heterogeneous developmental landscape, accompanied by issues such as inadequate development and regional polarization. (2) The overall rural social, economic, and spatial indices are low, and the degree of coupling has increased variably across different study periods; the average coordination degree has gradually improved over time, yet the level of coordination remains low, and spatial development is unbalanced. (3) The criterion-level impediments hindering the sustainable development of rural society, economy, and space are, in descending order, social factors, spatial factors, and economic factors. The urbanization rate, total fixed investment rate, and arable land change rate are the primary impediments in most counties and cities. The study’s findings will inform the planning of rural development in ethnic regions, promote sustainable social and spatial advancement in the countryside, and serve as a reference for rural revitalization efforts.

This study explores the relationship and mechanism between traditional village distribution and human settlement suitability in Hunan Province. Based on village distribution data and a human settlement evaluation system, spatial analysis and the LISA model are used to analyze spatial correlation and influencing patterns. Results show that (1) Traditional village density is significantly negatively correlated with human settlement suitability. (2) L-H and H-L agglomerations dominate the region, with L-H clusters in central-northern plains and valleys and H-L clusters in western mountainous areas. (3) Human settlement factors show strong spatial heterogeneity, with natural factors varying regionally and human factors reflecting moderate adaptation. This study reveals the adaptive logic of traditional villages to natural and human environments, enriches relevant theories, and provides targeted guidance for classified protection of traditional villages and human settlement optimization.

Changsha’s historic district, a key part of China’s Historic and Cultural Cities, faces the challenge of balancing spatial constraints and historical preservation while optimizing its existing infrastructure. The public service facilities in Changsha’s historic district are the subject of this study. The study goes beyond traditional facility classification techniques and divides these facilities into four categories: medical and welfare, cultural and historical, education and sports, and environmental sanitation. It is based on field research and multi-source geospatial data and considers a variety of factors, including the distribution of cultural resources, traditional living zones, historic street networks, and cultural and tourism functions of the historic district. Based on this foundation, we propose a configuration evaluation framework that encompasses three dimensions—“spatiality, accessibility, and relatedness”—to systematically analyze the spatial distribution of facilities, walkability, and the community network structure by integrating kernel density, accessibility, and modularity algorithms. The results offer methodological guidance and practical support for facility planning research in the context of historic and cultural city preservation, as well as a scientific foundation for the focused optimization and renovation of public service facilities in historic districts.