Evolution pattern and mechanism of rural areal functions in Xi'an metropolitan area, China

Abstract

Metropolitan areas, which are considered the most dynamic regions for economic and social development, are undergoing intense evolution within their rural areas. However, few studies have comprehensively explored their functional evolution. This study employed multi-source data and multiple methods to measure the evolution characteristics and mechanism of rural areal functions (RAF) in Xi'an metropolitan area of China from 2000 to 2020. The results indicate that these functions were significantly improved. The spatial pattern presents a multi-functional circle structure extending outward with “economic development, agricultural production, and ecological preservation” as the dominant functions, and emerged in urban-, rural-, and integration-oriented evolution patterns. The relationship among sub-functions become more coordinated, with shifting from an agriculture-centric to a multi-functional development model. Furthermore, it was observed that the external pull mechanism, internal push mechanism, and regulatory mechanism of policies and markets work collectively to drive functions' evolution. Finally, suggestions are proposed based on 3 types of evolution-oriented, to provide reference for other metropolitan rural areas even lagging villages to explore the development path and realize rural revitalization.