Abstract:

In the context of social transformation and urbanization, rural settlements have undergone drastic changes, and some rural settlements, including characteristic settlements, have been declining or even dying out. Research on scale and grade evolution is essential for the optimization of rural settlement spatial patterns and the protection of characteristic settlements. Based on the data of rural settlement patches in Xixiu District in 2000, 2010, and 2020, this study investigates the distribution characteristics and evolution of rural settlement scale in Xixiu District, and analyzes the development and changes occurring in Tunpu settlement during this process by using the rural rank-size rule and settlement scale hierarchy model. The main conclusions are as follows: (1)Overall, the total scale and number of rural settlements show an increasing trend, and the scale of Tunpu settlements continues to increase. The area of Tunpu settlement accounted for more than 20% of the total area of rural settlements in the three periods. (2)The scale distribution of rural settlements in Xixiu District was in accordance with the law of rural rank size. The theoretical values of most rural settlements differ minimally from the actual values, the fitting degree is gradually improved, and the negative exponential distribution characteristics gradually become prominent, showing the distribution characteristics of "first settlement" and "vertical tail." The scale of rural settlements tended to be concentrated in 2000-2010 and balanced in 2010-2020. (3) The spatial distribution of rural settlements in the different grades was relatively stable. The first- and second-grade settlements were mainly distributed in areas with small relief and developed economies, the third-grade settlements were evenly distributed in the area, and the fourth- and fifth-grade settlements were distributed in areas with large relief. The number has evolved from low to high, and at the same time, small-scale and scattered settlements quickly fill the 5-level settlements. Simultaneously, small-scale and scattered settlements quickly fill the 5-level settlements. (4) The Tunpu settlement is an important high-rank and high-scale settlement in Xixiu District. The scale growth of the Tunpu settlement with high rank shows stability, while the scale growth of the Tunpu settlement with low rank shows instability, and the development of rank shows retrogression. There are differences in the scale and grade of development of Tunpu settlements at different military levels. The higher the military level, the better the regional conditions and the higher the scale and grade development of settlements. In the future, Xixiu District should focus on rectifying small-scale and scattered settlement patches, optimizing the layout of settlement land, Playing the role of "leading" settlements, and forming a scientific and reasonable rural settlement scale structure. The development of the Tunpu settlement in the Xixiu District is facing a series of problems. This study discusses the changes in the scale of rural settlements in the study area, which provides a realistic foundation for the classification and protection of Tunpu settlements and the creation of regional characteristic settlements. Additionally, it provides new perspectives for research on the scale of rural settlements and the protection of characteristic settlements.

Key words: rural settlement, rural rank-size rule, scale evolution, Tunpu settlement, Anshun City