Spatio-temporal evolution patterns of flow space and its impact on urban-rural construction land transformation: A case study of the Yellow River Basin

To reveal the spatiotemporal structure of urban networks in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) and its impact on urban-rural construction land transformation, we developed a comprehensive-flow spatial model, combining social network analysis and urban niche analysis. Key findings include: (1) Cities in economically advanced regions, particularly in the middle and lower YRB, exhibit stronger inter-city connections. (2) Cites are grouped into four subgroups, highlighting the diverse roles of geographically proximate cities. (3) The DRSIR-PLS framework is validated, demonstrating that integrated flows promote urban-rural construction land expansion. These findings highlight the value of regional flow space analysis and the DPSIR-PLS framework in guiding sustainable regional development strategies.