Assessing the Rural-Urban Transition of China during 1980-2020 from a Coordination Perspective

Under the context of global rapid urbanization, exploring the dynamics of rural-urban transition in China can provide valuable experience for the Global South. In this study, we evaluate the rural-urban transition in China, from 1980 to 2020, based on socioeconomic data and a rural-urban transition coordination model by constructing a rural-urban development and integration index system. We identify the state and transition types, and we present optimization paths. The results show that, since the reform and opening-up, the rural-urban development index (URDI) in China has gradually expanded among regions while the rural-urban integrated index (URII) has experienced a trend of decline followed by an increase. Over the past 40 years, the spatial distribution characteristics of the & UDelta;URDI have been "south high-north low", while the & UDelta;URII has had a balanced spatial distribution. Over the first two decades of the past 40 years, the rural-urban transition in eastern coastal China was more coordinated, while regions with less coordination showed a two-tiered distribution pattern; over the last two decades, the coordination degree has increased. Over the past 40 years, the spatial distribution of high coordination presents "T-shaped" coastal and riverside characteristics. The transition types and coupling relationships of state regions are identified. Finally, optimization pathways are proposed for each type to further promote rural-urban integration.