Objective The Longwu River Basin, as a critical transitional area between the Tibetan Plateau and the Loess Plateau, hosts 36 unique traditional villages. These villages not only exhibit distinct spatial patterns but also play a central and stable role in cultural transmission. Over their long-term evolution, the spatial genes of these villages maintain continuity in historical inheritance while continuously evolving and innovating under the influence of external environmental factors. In the face of the challenges posed by spatial transformation and the dissolution of cultural meanings during modernization, studying the dynamic evolution of the spatial system in traditional villages, as well as its proactive conservation and inheritance, is of significant importance.

Methods Based on the theory of spatial genes, this study introduces an innovative biological evolutionary perspective. It suggests that the spatial genes of traditional villages possess both historical continuity and dynamic characteristics, evolving continuously under the influence of external factors such as environmental conditions, social-economic changes, and cultural needs. To comprehensively explore the spatial gene features and inheritance mechanisms of traditional villages in the Longwu River Basin, this study employs qualitative morphological research methods, supplemented by quantitative analysis techniques such as terrain slope analysis, space syntax, and the boundary index. A spatial gene recognition index system is developed, consisting of “four major genomes−ten genetic sub-items−ten recognition factors.” The four genomes include landscape patterns, functional domains, street systems, and node identification. The ten genetic sub-items cover base site selection, sequence structure, functional composition, landscape integration, settlement morphology, street structure, accessibility, connectivity, planar structure, and layout composition. The ten recognition factors include topography, landscape relationships, element coverage, element texture, boundary morphology, street structure, accessibility, connectivity degree, planar form, and composition methods. Based on the identification and analysis of spatial genes, base site selection, functional composition, settlement morphology, and street structure are treated as data-type variables. K-modes cluster analysis and the elbow method are employed to classify the traditional villages of the Longwu River Basin. Furthermore, a “tendency−context−derivation” framework is constructed to analyze the dynamic evolution of spatial genes and the development patterns of different village types.

Results Traditional villages in the Longwu River Basin exhibit 45 distinct spatial gene types, showing clear historical continuity. However, under the combined influence of factors such as geographic location, economic vitality, cultural identity, social needs, and policy orientation, the spatial genes of these traditional villages continue to evolve, generating new derivative genes and demonstrating a diversified and dynamic development trend. These villages are classified into three types: multi-functional integrated villages, Tibetan customs villages, and agro-pastoral villages. The multi-functional integrated villages, located mainly in the heart of the Longwu River valley, have advantageous locations, convenient transportation, and active economic and cultural exchanges. These villages show characteristics of multi-cultural integration, blending history with modernity, and demonstrate continuous innovation in derivative genes. Tibetan customs villages emphasize Tibetan cultural features in their spatial genes, guided through node identification, and exhibit a continuous trend of cultural and folk activity evolution. Agro-pastoral villages rely on the ecological environment, with high adaptability to terrain and resource conditions, showing coordinated development between built space and ecological environment. Based on the evolution patterns of spatial genes in these different village types, three active inheritance mechanisms are proposed: For multi-functional integrated villages, an “organic succession” inheritance mechanism is suggested, which focuses on renovation, functional integration, and the incorporation of contemporary cultural features, allowing these traditional villages’ spatial genes to both preserve tradition and meet modern production and livelihood needs. For Tibetan customs villages, a “fusion activation” inheritance mechanism is proposed, emphasizing the enhancement of node identification, the strengthening of spatial cultural atmosphere, and the guidance of spatial order development. For agro-pastoral villages, an “ecological integration” inheritance mechanism is proposed, aiming for restoration and modification based on ecological adaptation to achieve sustainable development that balances built space with the natural environment.

Conclusion This study constructs a spatial gene recognition system based on “landscape patterns−functional domains−street systems−node identification” and a dynamic evolution analysis framework based on the concepts of “tendency−context−derivation.” It systematically identifies 45 distinct spatial gene types in the traditional villages of the Longwu River Basin and explores the evolution patterns of spatial genes across three distinct village types: multi-functional integrated villages, Tibetan customs villages, and agro-pastoral villages. Additionally, the study proposes active inheritance mechanisms for spatial genes, offering a nuanced understanding of how traditional villages can adapt and preserve their spatial identity in a rapidly changing environment. This research expands the typological scope of spatial gene studies in traditional villages and offers both theoretical insights and practical case studies for the protection and inheritance of traditional village spatial systems in this region. The research framework, which emphasizes identifiable, evolvable, and inheritable spatial genes, is applicable to the historical preservation and contemporary continuation of spatial genes in traditional villages, providing valuable practical guidance for the active protection of traditional villages in the Longwu River Basin and other similar regions.