Multifunctional spatial pattern and regional regulation of rural territory in Hebei Province from the perspective of symbiosis

Hebei Province has been one of the most important parts of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in China. But, the economic development of Hebei Province is largely lagging behind Beijing and Tianjin. Therefore, it is very necessary to tap the vitality of regional economic development in Hebei Province. Since the reform and opening up, it is highly urgent to balance between urban and rural development in many regions of China. Rural areas in Hebei Province have been limited to two difficulties in the economic development. This study aims to improve the relationship between rural regional functions for the optimal rural regional space, in order to ultimately promote the effective connection between poverty alleviation achievements and rural revitalization, particularly for the better coordinated development between regions and between urban and rural areas. Taking 121 counties (including county-level cities) in Hebei Province as the research unit, the evaluation index system of rural regional multi-function was constructed from four dimensions of agricultural production function, non-agricultural production function, living function and ecological security function. The comprehensive evaluation was used to measure the value of rural regional function. Then, the ArcGIS natural discontinuity point and global spatial autocorrelation models were used to reveal the spatial differentiation characteristics of rural regional multi-function. The symbiosis theory and model were selected to explore the symbiosis mode among rural territory multifunctions, in order to realize the spatial division of rural territory function by integrating the dominant function, short board function and symbiosis mode type of rural territory multi-functions. The results show that: 1) There was an outstanding multi-functional spatial differentiation and agglomeration characteristics of rural territory. Some differences were found in the agricultural production functions between the north and the south in rural areas. The rural areas with the higher non-agricultural production functions were close to the Beijing and Tianjin areas or rich in ore resources. By contrast, the areas with the lower functions were distributed in the northern mountainous with the sparse population and backward economy. The living function of rural areas presented the spatial distribution characteristics of the high value in the southeast and low in the northwest. There was the strong ecological security function in the north, but the weak in the south. 2) There were the multiple symbiosis modes among the multi-functions of rural territory. Two function symbiosis mode was in reverse symmetrical symbiosis: the agricultural production and non-agricultural production function, agricultural production and ecological security function. The symbiotic mode of two functions was in the parasitic mode: the agricultural production and living function, non-agricultural production and living function, non-agricultural production and ecological function. Two function symbiosis mode was in positive asymmetric symbiosis: the residential life and ecological security function. 3) The rural territory were divided into four primary functional areas: the polarization, dominant, lack, and comprehensive development area, where 16 secondary functional types were subdivided. As such, the corresponding development strategies were proposed for the various functional areas. Studies have shown that rural regional multi-functions have certain spatial heterogeneity, and there are multiple symbiotic relationships among functions. In the decision-making of rural regional development, it is necessary to clarify the spatial differentiation characteristics and grasp the internal symbiotic relationship among rural regional multifunctions, so as to provide more scientific zoning optimization strategies. © 2022 Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering. All rights reserved.