An analysis of the spatial evolution and influencing factors of rural settlements along the Shandong section of the Grand Canal of China

Since 1980s, the weakening of transportation function Grand Canal and rapid urbanisation have generated significant changes in spatial pattern rural settlements along Canal. Analysing changing characteristics this pattern, exploring natural, social, economic factors influencing these are key to understanding regional structure development law, grasping degree influence factors. This study selected approximately 13,000 27 county-level units Shandong section Canal, from 1980 2018, as research object. The Canal's distance buffer zone is divided into canal-side, near-canal, far-canal, further-canal settlements. correlation model with canal constructed through controlled experiment. distribution, scale, form settlement analysed quantitatively by applying change gravity centre (CGC), average nearest neighbour analysis (ANN), landscape metrics (LM), other methods. quantitative geographic detectors differentiation shows relative importance interaction within them. indicates that distribution ‘large dispersion small concentration’ ‘small-scale agglomeration’ characteristics. larger scale expands, more number decreases. closer nears river, complex shape clusters. total output value agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, power agricultural machinery, effective irrigation area main grain per capita disposable income residents auxiliary