Land Consolidation Potential Assessment by Using the Production–Living–Ecological Space Framework in the Guanzhong Plain, China

Ziyi Xie, Siying Wu, Xin Liu, Hejia Shi, Mintong Hao, Weiwei Zhao (), Xin Fu and Yepeng Liu
Additional contact information
Ziyi Xie: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Siying Wu: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Xin Liu: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Hejia Shi: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Mintong Hao: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Weiwei Zhao: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Xin Fu: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Yepeng Liu: College of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture & Technology, Xi’an 710055, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-34

Abstract: Land consolidation (LC) is a sustainability-oriented policy tool designed to address land fragmentation, inefficient spatial organization, and ecological degradation in rural areas. This research proposes a Production–Living–Ecological (PLE) spatial utilization efficiency evaluation system, based on an integrated methodological framework combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Entropy Weight Method (EWM), Attribute-Weighting Method (AWM), Linear Weighted Sum Method (LWSM), Threshold-Verification Coefficient Method (TVCM), Jenks Natural Breaks (JNB) classification, and the Obstacle Degree Model (ODM). The framework is applied to Qian County, located in the Guanzhong Plain in Shaanxi Province. The results reveal three key findings: (1) PLE efficiency exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity. Production efficiency shows a spatial pattern characterized by high values in the central region that gradually decrease toward the surrounding areas. In contrast, the living efficiency demonstrates higher values in the eastern and western regions, while remaining relatively low in the central area. Moreover, ecological efficiency shows a marked advantage in the northern region, indicating a distinct south–north gradient. (2) Integrated efficiency consolidation potential zones present distinct spatial distributions. Preliminary consolidation zones are primarily located in the western region; priority zones are concentrated in the south; and intensive consolidation zones are clustered in the central and southeastern areas, with sporadic distributions in the west and north. (3) Five primary obstacle factors hinder land use efficiency: intensive utilization of production land (PC1), agricultural land reutilization intensity (PC2), livability of living spaces (PC4), ecological space security (PC7), and ecological space fragmentation (PC8). These findings provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for formulating tar-gated LC strategies, optimizing rural spatial structures, and advancing sustainable development in similar regions.

Keywords: rural areas; land consolidation; consolidation potential; zoning for consolidation; production–living–ecological spatial utilization efficiency; sustainable land use (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6887/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6887/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6887-:d:1712576

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().