Has the supply of rural public basic facilities in China inhibited village courtyard Idling? An investigation from the perspectives of layout types and objective-subjective evaluation

Abstract

Insufficient rural public basic facility supply is widely recognized as one of the key factors contributing to rural courtyard idleness. However, existing research has not reached consensus on the mechanisms by which different types of public basic facility influence idle courtyards, nor has it thoroughly distinguished between the differential impacts of objective basic facility supply and villagers’ subjective satisfaction. Based on questionnaire survey data from 400 Chinese villages in 2020, this study categorizes rural public infrastructure according to spatial distribution characteristics into universally distributed facilities (UDF) and centrally distributed facilities (CDF). The research quantitatively analyzes how the objective supply levels and villagers’ subjective satisfaction of these two facility types affect idle courtyards in Chinese villages. The study finds: (1) Nationwide, the comprehensive supply level of CDF significantly suppresses the risk of idle courtyards in villages, primarily by increasing subjective satisfaction with CDF, thereby reducing villagers’ outmigration intentions. The suppressive effect of UDF is not significant nationwide but shows significant and robust inhibitory effects in central and western regions, mainly determined by the objective supply level of rural public basic facility. (2) Regarding specific facilities, high-level supply of public transportation, markets and shops, primary schools, and elderly care institutions significantly reduces idle courtyards across the country. In central and western regions, the supply levels of tap water and public toilets also demonstrate significant inhibitory effects. (3) The inhibitory effect of rural public basic facility supplies exhibits notable regional and village-size heterogeneity, with the inhibitory effect of subjective satisfaction with CDF only significant in medium and large villages. This paper reveals the intrinsic mechanisms by which rural public basic facility supplies inhibitory effect idle courtyards from the perspective of spatial layout and objective-subjective supply. It provides scientific evidence for the governance of idle courtyards in Chinese villages and precision investment in public facilities, while also offering valuable reference for rural public basic facility policy formulation in other countries.