Two-level village classification and layout optimization with differentiated objectives

Abstract: Spatial layout of rural settlements can greatly contributed to steadily promoting rural revitalization and village management in recent years. Taking "development" and "shrewd shrinkage" as the research directions, this study aims to classify the two-level village for the layout optimization with differentiated objectives. First, the Bourdieu's capital (accumulated labor) theory was applied at the administrative village level, and then the resilience theory at the natural village level, leading to a two-level village classification and spatial layout. Taking Suiyang District, Shangqiu City, Henan Province, China as an example, the village development capital evaluation and Pajek complex social network were constructed to form the administrative village type, according to the "development" goal under Bourdieu's capital theory, whereas, the resilience index was optimized for the interior of natural villages at the natural village level, particularly with the goal of "shrewd contraction". Finally, the differentiated objectives at the administrative and natural villages were proposed for the targeted revitalization strategies. The results show that: 1) In "development" goal orientation, the villages were divided into 24 urban-suburban integration, 84 agglomeration and upgrading, 195 remediation and improvement, as well as 8 characteristic protection types at the administrative village level. Among them, the capital evaluation was made in the descending order of 23, 80 and 200 villages, according to the Bourdieu's capital theory. The villages were divided into 24 central level I, 89 central level II, and 190 central level III villages, according to the complex social network of Pajek. Then, the combination matrix was superimposed to obtain the classification of administrative villages. 2) An optimal resilience evaluation of natural villages was constructed to form a key village within each administrative village at the natural village level under the "shrewd shrinkage" goal. There were 303 key villages and 582 demolition villages, indicating a shrewd shrinkage. 3) A differentiated optimization strategy was established for the two levels of administrative and natural villages. At the administrative village level, the integrated urban-suburban villages can be "partially developed in groups to promote the expansion of townships". The Agglomeration and upgrading villages can "make up for the shortcomings of facilities and form service nodes". The renovation and improvement villages can "renovate the living environment and enhance the appearance of the village", whereas, the characteristic protected villages can "retain the characteristics to enhance the reputation, and transportation". At the natural village level, the investment in facilities can be weakened in the demolition villages to guide the central migration. The finding can provide a strong reference to classify and optimize the reconstruction of the layout of villages and towns, further promoting the rural revitalization and land improvement fpor sustainable agricultural development.