The spatial characteristics and driving mechanism of rural settlements in loess plateau gully region in eastern Gansu: Taking Tunzi Town as an example

Rural settlement is the main form of rural spatial population settlement, and its spatial layout is affected by natural, social, and economic factors. The research applies GIS spatial analysis technology to quantitatively study the spatial distribution pattern of rural settlements in Tunzi Town, Zhenyuan County, Qingyang City of Gansu Province, and analyzes its influencing factors and driving mechanism, and finally evaluates the suitability of the distribution of rural settlements in this area, and puts forward suggestions for rural development planning. The results show that: ① The distribution of rural settlements in Tunzi Town is characterized by high density in the middle and low density in the north and south. ② Elevation and topographic slope are the main factors affecting the distribution of rural settlements and the quality of ecological environment. ③ The suitable living area of Tunzi Town only accounts for 9.86%, and the suitability distribution is mainly suitable, accounting for nearly 40% of the area. It is suggested that table-land should be the main part of the town construction development, while the ecological restoration should be the main part of the river road and gully slope. It needs to improve the allocation of infrastructure and promote the intensive and economical use of land.