Preliminary Study on Spatial Structure of Xiushan Rural Areas in Chongqing Based on GIS Analysis

Abstract

The rapid pace of China’s urbanization has contributed to the decline of rural industries, rural exodus, and widening disparities between urban and rural areas, highlighting the need for new spatial development strategies to achieve urban-rural integration. As Chongqing has been designated a pilot zone for Urban-Rural Integration Reform, this study focuses on Xiushan County to analyse rural spatial structure and the factors influencing its development. A database was created using GIS to store data on population, land use, and industry from questionnaires covering 260 villages. GIS visualisation was then used to examine the spatial distribution of Xiushan’s rural areas in terms of location, topography, population, industry, and public services. The preliminary analysis reveals inequalities among villages and shows that terrain and transportation are critical determinants of rural economic development. Furthermore, strong relationships exist between the spatial distribution of population, land use, and industrial structure, offering insights for policies aimed at rural transformation and integration.