An integrated analysis framework for territorial space governance: Combining land use classification and functional evaluation toward spatial zoning

Abstract

An integrated territorial space analysis framework is critical for advancing spatial governance, yet current approaches face two key challenges: multi-source heterogeneous data integration bottlenecks and limited conventional zoning paradigms. To address these gaps, this study develops a systematic “classification-evaluation-zoning" framework for territorial space governance, exemplified by a case study in Lingbao City, Henan Province. The framework first integrates building footprints with POI data, employing K-Dimensional Tree algorithms to achieve fine-scale land use classification. An economic-social-ecological evaluation system was then developed to characterize land use function. Finally, adopting hybrid grids as basic units, the framework integrates kernel density estimation and land use structure to delineate main functional areas (MFAs) and analyze their multidimensional features combined with functional evaluation. The result show forest increased by 173.68 km² under ecological protection, while 96.98 % of new built-up land originated from farmland conversion. Residential land constitutes 73.30 % and 95.44 % of urban and rural single buildings. Urban and rural mixed land use types increased 2.12-fold and 2.93-fold. Enhanced economic and ecological functions accompanied by social restructuring, which involved a population decline of 16,571 (69.39 % rural outmigration) and a 284 % POI growth. Furthermore, urban commercial and service MFAs surged from 35.62 % to 64.42 % with enhanced diversity-economic intensity synergy. Rural MFAs maintained residential predominance (68.83 %), transitioning towards commercial and service with low-speed economic expansion. This framework integrates fine-grained land use information, multi-dimensional functional evaluation, and grid-based spatial zoning, effectively supporting the complex governance of territorial space. It provides a replicable digital governance paradigm for refined territorial space management globally.