Geographic identification, spatial differentiation, and formation mechanism of multifunction of rural settlements: A case study of 804 typical villages in Shandong Province, China

As socio-economic development progresses (division of labor in society, industrialization and urbanization), changes on the spatial structure and function take place in the rural settlements. The regional distribution and formation mechanisms of multifunction of rural settlements are the scientific basis for effectively implementing rural land consolidation. This paper characterized the structure and spatial differentiation of multifunction of rural settlements quantitatively by using spatial autocorrelation and spatial econometric model based on practical survey data of spatial location and property of 804 typical villages, and the formation mechanism of multifunction of rural settlements was revealed as well. Results showed that the coefficient of variation of function was between 11.01% and 23.05%, and the grade structure of multifunction was mainly in the medium and relative-low grade, characterized by the four spatial distribution patterns: "gradient", "spot-region", "strip" and "ring". Under the integrated influence of the external and internal factors of the rural settlements system, the multifunction spatial differentiation of rural residential areas was significant, i.e., the distribution of the transition trend and the spatial distribution of rural settlements in Qingdao and Yantai were the two hotspots; general counties of Jiaodong peninsula and the Jinan City were sub-hotspots, and the southwest, central, and north of Shandong Province were cold spots. This study recommends that rural settlement restructuring should pay special attention to the multifunctional development and its formation mechanism, which can house larger populations and better accommodate industry in the future. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.