Determination of the temporal-spatial pattern distribution and evolution of industrial heritage in Northeast China and its influencing factors

This study investigates the spatiotemporal evolution and influencing factors of industrial heritage in Northeast China based on a dataset of 635 sites. Spatial analytical methods, including kernel density analysis, nearest neighbor index, standard deviation ellipse, trend surface analysis, and Voronoi polygon analysis, were applied using ArcGIS 10.8. The results indicate that: (1) The development of industrial heritage in Northeast China can be divided into 5 distinctive historical stages (2) Spatially imbalanced distribution showing increasing clustering over time, with east-west concentration along resource-rich eastern zones and north-south shifts from peripheral to central dominance. Spatial transitions occurred from railway corridors to resource zones and back. (3) Regional specialization: Liaoning dominates metal mining/metallurgy, Heilongjiang in coal/petroleum/transportation, Jilin in food/light industries, and eastern Inner Mongolia in transportation/energy. Multifactorial analysis identifies combined influences of resource availability, railway networks, hydrography, topography, climate, and policy shifts. The research proposes targeted conservation strategies informed by these spatiotemporal patterns and regional industrial characteristics, offering methodological frameworks for heritage revitalization in post-industrial regions. This systematic approach enhances understanding of industrial civilization trajectories while supporting sustainable heritage management in Northeast China.