Multi-functional cognition and spatial mapping analysis of residential land use within village areas: A case study of Luxiang, Suzhou City

The village domain is the basic unit of social and economic activities in rural China, and an in-depth analysis of the mixed utilization characteristics of settlements and their multifunctional differentiated spatial patterns within the village can provide new perspectives for the study of rural development and transformation in economically developed areas. By comparing the spatial and temporal characteristics of human activities carried by residential sites on weekdays, weekends, and holidays, this study constructs the evaluation indices for residence, employment, and consumption functions at the plot scale, and carries out empirical analysis with the help of location-based big data in the village of Luxiang, Suzhou City. The results show that: ① The multi-functional types of the residential areas within the village cover residence, employment, consumption, and the combination of residence and consumption, among which the area of the composite functional plots accounts for nearly 40%, and the multi-functional utilization is at a relatively high level; ② The spatial mapping analysis reflects that different functional spaces within the village area present differentiated characteristics, and the composite functional plots are concentrated in clusters in the core residence and consumption areas of the village. ③ The combination and connection degree of nodes on the spatial mapping also vary, which is manifested as the diversity and heterogeneity of "function-structure" in different regions. The study can provide a scientific basis for improving the quality and effectiveness of village planning compilation in the new era and enhancing the refined management level of rural residential land use.