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Land Use Functions Serve as a Critical Tool for Advancing the Settlements Quality Assessment in Traditional Villages: A Case Study of Guizhou Province

Author

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  • Yan Wang

    (School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • An Huang

    (School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Feier Wang

    (School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Zhe Cheng

    (School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Min Wang

    (School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

Abstract

Enhancing the quality of human settlements in traditional villages is crucial for promoting sustainable development and achieving the broader objectives of rural revitalization. A key challenge in addressing current settlement issues is the development of a scientifically grounded assessment framework for evaluating the quality of the settlement in traditional villages. To fill this gap, this study systematically constructed a theoretical and methodological system of comprehensive assessment of the settlement quality in traditional villages based on land use functions. Specifically, first, a comprehensive framework for assessing the settlement quality in traditional villages is proposed by systematically deconstructing the interrelationships among the key dimensions and elements with the guiding by the objectives of livable community development, the social–ecological system (SES) framework, and the land use functions (encompassing production, living, and ecological functions, PLE function). Second, considering the multi-scalar effects of livable community development (15 min, 25 min, and 35 min living circles), an indicator system that enables a quantitative and refined assessment of settlement quality in traditional villages, as well as a method for identifying barriers indicators are proposed based on the critical tool of land use functions. Finally, an empirical analysis of 757 traditional villages in Guizhou Province, China, is conducted to validate the feasibility and applicability of the theoretical framework and methodological approach presented in this study. The findings reveal that the overall settlement quality in Guizhou’s traditional villages is relatively low, with numerous villages in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture and Tongren City falling within a low-to-medium quality range, especially in the scale of 35 min living circle. To address these challenges, this study proposes classification-based improvement strategies to enhance the quality of the living environment in traditional villages. The results offer important theoretical, methodological, and empirical insights for the transformation and upgrading of settlements in traditional villages in Guizhou Province and other similar regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan Wang & An Huang & Feier Wang & Zhe Cheng & Min Wang, 2025. "Land Use Functions Serve as a Critical Tool for Advancing the Settlements Quality Assessment in Traditional Villages: A Case Study of Guizhou Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:462-:d:1597878
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Feifei Wu & Xiaohua Yang & Bing Lian & Yan Wang & Jing Kang, 2023. "Suitability Evaluation of Human Settlements Using a Global Sensitivity Analysis Method: A Case Study in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Ji Feng & Zheng Zhao & Yali Wen & Yilei Hou, 2021. "Organically Linking Green Development and Ecological Environment Protection in Poyang Lake, China Using a Social-Ecological System (SES) Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-23, March.
    3. Lu Yu & Dinglong Xie & Xiang Xu, 2022. "Environmental Suitability Evaluation for Human Settlements of Rural Residential Areas in Hengshui, Hebei Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, November.
    4. He Liu & Xueming Li & Yingying Guan & Songbo Li & He Sun, 2023. "Comprehensive Evaluation and Analysis of Human Settlements’ Suitability in the Yangtze River Delta Based on Multi-Source Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-18, January.
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