Research on the Spatial Layout of Military Defense System in Zhuanglangwei Defense Zone of Gansu Town in the Ming Dynasty

Abstract

The Zhuanglang Defense Area is the geographical area of the Zhuanglang Road Defense Area under the jurisdiction of Gansu Town of the Ming Great Wall. It forms a circular defense against external invasion with the northwest Liangzhou Defense, the southwest Xining Defense Area, and the east Lanzhou Defense. Due to the strategic position and geographical advantage of the defense area, it forms a unique spatial structure and layout characteristics of the Great Wall defense system. By using GIS methods such as elevation analysis, neighbour analysis, density analysis, surface cost analysis, and shortest path analysis, this study explores the spatial characteristics of military settlements in the Zhuanglangwei defense area, revealing their spatial structure, geographical location, and influencing factors, providing a theoretical basis for the protection of historical relics in the Zhuanglangwei area.