@article{Li2026, 
author = {Zhijun Li and Pei Zhang and Xiaomeng Fu},
title = {The delineation and differentiation pattern of rural spatial advantages in metropolitan area based on spatial suitability evaluation: A case study of Xi’an metropolitan area},
year = {2026},
journal = {Journal of Northwest University (Natural Science Edition)},
volume = {56},
number = {4},
pages = {817-829},
keywords = {rural land use, "PLE" in rural areas, suitability evaluation, differentiation characteristics, Xi’an metropolitan area},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.16152/j.cnki.xdxbzr.2026-04-011},
doi = {10.16152/j.cnki.xdxbzr.2026-04-011},
abstract = {Rural space, as an important fulcrum for coordinating the urban-rural development pattern in a region, is also the core carrier for activating the endogenous sustainability of rural areas. In recent years, the gradual deviation in rural development within metropolitan areas has highlighted the conflict between spatial development and resource constraints. In response to this issue, from a functional perspective, this study selects the Xi’an metropolitan area as an empirical research object. A suitability evaluation model for rural space utilization in the Xi’an metropolitan area is constructed, and the equal-weight linear weighting method is employed to assess the suitability levels of rural ecological, production, and living spaces in the Xi’an metropolitan area. Furthermore, the confusion matrix model and Kappa coefficient are utilized to examine the consistency and spatial differentiation characteristics of these evaluations. The results indicate that: ① The single dominant functional advantage areas in the Xi’an metropolitan area are concentrated in mountainous regions, forested areas, water systems, and suburban zones, exhibiting zonal and scattered distribution patterns; ②The complex functional distribution areas in the Xi’an metropolitan area are extensive, particularly those involving production-life composite functions, which display planar or zonal distribution characteristics; ③ The rural space in the Xi’an metropolitan area exhibits significant differentiation, especially evident in the northern and southern mountainous regions, transitioning from ecologically-led functional advantage areas and ecologically productive compound function zones to living spaces. This research enriches the theoretical framework of rural spatial suitability evaluation in metropolitan areas to some extent and provides valuable theoretical and practical references for enhancing the comprehensive efficiency of regional rural land use.}
}