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Spatial–Temporal Evolution, Impact Mechanisms, and Reclamation Potential of Rural Human Settlements in China

Author

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  • Duan Ran

    (School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Qiyu Hu

    (School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Zhanlu Zhang

    (School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

Abstract

In China’s pursuit of modernization, the government has introduced the rural revitalization strategy to combat rural decline, foster balanced urban–rural development, and reduce the urban–rural gap. Rural human settlements, as key components of this strategy, play a vital role. This paper examines the types and characteristics of human–earth relationships within rural settlements, emphasizing their significance. Using national land use and population census data, we analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of rural settlements at the county level, investigating landscape pattern changes, assessing the degree of coupling coordination between rural population and settlements, categorizing relationship types and features, and estimating the potential for remediation. Our findings reveal a growing trend in the scale of rural human settlements, particularly sourced from arable land, with significant expansions observed in the North China Plain and Northeast Plain, indicating potential for farmland reclamation and village consolidation. Landscape patterns of rural human settlements exhibit increased fragmentation, complex shapes, and aggregation. We categorize the utilization of rural human settlements into two types, each with four distinct features: human–land coordination is observed in regions characterized by either a higher rural population and larger rural settlement areas, or lower rural population and smaller rural settlement areas. Human–land trade-offs are evident in areas where there is either a higher rural population and smaller rural settlement areas, or lower rural population and larger rural settlement areas. This provides valuable insights for the Chinese government’s context-specific implementation of the rural revitalization strategy. It also serves as an experiential reference for the governance of rural human settlements in other developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Duan Ran & Qiyu Hu & Zhanlu Zhang, 2024. "Spatial–Temporal Evolution, Impact Mechanisms, and Reclamation Potential of Rural Human Settlements in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-37, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:4:p:430-:d:1365800
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Knight, John & Deng, Quheng & Li, Shi, 2011. "The puzzle of migrant labour shortage and rural labour surplus in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 585-600.
    2. Geng, Bo & Tian, Yugang & Zhang, Lihao & Chen, Bo, 2023. "Evolution and its driving forces of rural settlements along the roadsides in the northeast of Jianghan Plain, China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    3. Yuheng Li & Huiqian Huang & Chuanyao Song, 2022. "The nexus between urbanization and rural development in China: Evidence from panel data analysis," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(3), pages 1037-1051, September.
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