Research on Spatial Reconstruction and Optimization of a Rural Settlement System under the Multi-Level Goals of Rural Revitalization:A Case Study based on Laixi City,Qingdao

DU Yujia; LI Chi

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-0232.2025.05.006

Abstract：In the context of the rural revitalization strategy and urban-rural integrated development,various regions have actively explored rural reconstruction.They attempt to optimize the allocation of rural land resources and enhance regional vitality by integrating villages and concentrated contiguous consolidation of farmland.However,government-led rural settlement reconstruction has exposed serious social issues,including"blind amalgamation"and"forced vertical resettlement."To guide the spatial reconstruction of rural settlements more scientifically,research on urban-rural spaces has increasingly focused on the structural characteristics,collective settlement morphology,and optimization strategies of village and town systems.Nevertheless,there are few studies on the spatial reconstruction of multi-level rural settlements in the county,and they ignore that rural areas are forming hierarchical,livable,and highly efficient settlement systems with town-central community-village coordinated development.As a multi-body system,rural areas must achieve multi-level revitalization goals while implementing the rural revitalization strategy,thus building a multi-level goal system consisting of a"network-zone-field-pole"structure.This provides some enlightenment for studying the spatial reconstruction of rural settlement system.Based on this system,a community-oriented rural settlement system measurement method was built based on Laixi City,a model county of rural revitalization in Shandong Province.The spatial reconstruction pathways and remediation directions were analyzed by recognizing the reconstruction types of rural communities.Results showed that:(1)among communities,rural settlements show obvious hierarchical and regional characteristics.In regions with strong rural influences,a rural network system with a relatively complete"point-line-surface"structure has been formed.In regions with low influences,the"dot-shaped"spatial structures are presented.(2)In rural communities,the first settlement occupies the dominant role,whereas middle-sized and small-sized settlements have limited development.The spatial aggregation effect around community centers is not significant,and there are abundant scattered settlements in the hinterland,showing typical core-edge structural features.(3)Based on the indicator measurement of the rural settlement system,rural communities are divided into four types by a hierarchical clustering method:urbanization-driven type,center town-guided development type,centre village agglomeration and upgrading type,and a unique function preservation type.Urbanization-driven type strengthens radiation intensity and quality of rural spatial field by"improving quality and efficiency,and allocation according to demands."The center town-guided development type observes the development idea of"improving quality and efficiency,and allocation according to demands"to improve the functions of the rural revitalization pole.The center village agglomeration and upgrading type renovates scattering plaques of rural development zones according to the idea of"reasonable agglomeration and gradual process."The unique function preservation type promotes the connection of urban-rural infrastructure network according to the"classification-guided and strict control"principle.Research results eliminate the limitation of"central place"and reflect the radiation effects of central villages on surrounding settlements.Recognizing the reconstruction types of rural communities can guide reasonable development of rural settlement systems on the county level scientifically and effectively.Exploring the endogenous power of rural settlements fully can achieve multi-level goals of rural development better.However,this study has some limitations.Limited by difficulties in data acquisition,community ranges in this study mainly rely on the socioeconomic data of villages,and they cannot fully reflect the close relationships of people stream,logistics,and information flow in communities.Future studies can further optimize models by using population mobility data and discuss improvement strategies of communities and rural system structures.