Spatial reconstruction of rural settlements based on livability and population flow

The spatial reconstruction of rural settlements is one of the important methods for coordinating the relationship between people and land in rural areas and promoting rural revitalization. Based on the theoretical framework of rural settlement space reconstruction from the perspective of rural livability and population flow, this paper took Longxi County in the loess hilly region of Longzhong in China as an example. Based on cross-sectional survey data of 213 administrative villages in 2020 as evaluation units, we analyzed rural livability and population flow intensity, and identified the types of rural settlement spatial reconstruction. The results show that: (1) The spatial differences in the rural natural environment, residential environment, economic and social environment, and overall livability of Longxi County were significant. They have significant river and road directivity. The livability of villages along the river in the middle of mountain area was better than that of villages along the hilly and mountainous in the south and northwest; (2) The population flow of Longxi County was classified into three types: cross-regional population flow, population flow within the county and population flow within the town. The trend of cross-regional population flow is significant. However, the activity of cross-regional population flow was not high, mainly with low and medium levels. The villages with strong population flow were also highly integrated, and vice versa; (3) Based on the evaluation results of rural livability and population flow, we divided the 213 administrative villages into four types of reconstruction: agglomeration and promotion type, potential advantage type, restricted expansion type, and layout optimization type. Then, we optimized and reconstructed them according to local conditions This paper provides a scientific basis for the spatial reconstruction of rural settlements in the loess hilly region of Longzhong in China. In addition, it provides a theoretical reference for coordinating the relationship between people and land, and realizing rural revitalization.