Functioning of cultural attractors in Beijing as elements of urban green infrastructure

Cultural attractions in Beijing, such as the Temple of Heaven and other UNESCO-listed parks, serve as critical drivers for urban green infrastructure (GI), balancing ecological resilience with historical preservation. These sites, which constitute up to 43% of GI in Beijing's historic core, integrate eco-friendly solutions like green drainage and waste segregation, mitigating the impact of high visitor traffic while maintaining their cultural significance. The study introduces an innovative 'eco-cultural balance' concept, demonstrating that adaptive management can harmonize recreational, ecological, and historical priorities. Using a novel assessment algorithm combining landscape metrics with social functions, researchers analyzed spatial connectivity, composition, and compensatory properties through GIS modeling (MSPA) and high-resolution satellite imagery, alongside field observations. This approach offers a model for sustainable urban development in heritage-rich cities.

Illarionova, O., Bancheva, A., & Fortygina, E. (2025). Functioning of cultural attractors in Beijing as elements of urban green infrastructure. InterCarto InterGIS, 31(3), 306. https://doi.org/10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-306-324