The Evaluation of Rural Territorial Functions: A Case Study of Henan, China

China＇s new urbanization process requires coordinated development between cities and rural areas. Territorial functions of rural areas are defined as advantageous effects on nature and human society that, in particular, rural systems perform via their property and interactions with other systems at certain social development stages. This paper establishes an index System for evaluating rural territorial functions including agricultural function, social function, economic function and ecological function. By establishing a model based on a General Regression Neural Network （GRNN） with the county-level as the basic unit, we comprehensively evaluate the rural territorial functions of 109 counties and/or cities in Henan province, China in 2000, 2005 and 2010. Results show that compared with that in 2000, each function in 2010 improved, with the spatial heterogeneity of economic func- tion the most evident, social service function comparatively balanced and spatial distribution of agricultural produc- tion function changing little. Cluster analysis was adopted to study the major functions of rural regions. Henan was divided into six major function zones to enhance administrative management and developmental policy. The six major function zones are Type I （core economic development zone）, Type II （agricultural production safeguarding zone）, Type III （function improving zone for rural areas）, Type IV （model zone of livelihood and social services）, Type V （economic restructuring and development zone）, and Type Vl （nature conservation areas）. Different development goals and development strategies should be considered according to different major function areas to achieve the coordinated development of urban and rural areas in China.

Agriculture Development in Agriculture Oriented County Based on Territorial Function ——A Case Study of Long’an County in GuangXi Zhuang Autonomous Region

[Objective] The aim was to research development plan of major agriculture-oriented county （MAOA or MAOC hereafter） based on territorial function. [Method] The relationship between Major Function Oriented Zoning （MFOZ hereafter） and agricultural development is explored with the case of Long＇an County in Guangxi. [Result] In the research, agricultural function, featured by composition and diversification, is considered one of territorial function typs, contributed by ecology, land, industries and population. With Long＇an as a study case, it can be concluded that the plan of major agriculture-oriented counties is as follows： With guidance of territorial function, the counties should formulate the strategies of major function oriented zones, strive for more social and economic resources for agricultural development, extend agricultural functions, enhance the role of agricultural additional functions, strengthen ecological conservation, improve agricultural productivity and transportation, reinforce exchange of countryside with other regions. In addition, attention should be paid to reconstruction of population and industry pattern for redistribution on the basis of evaluation on bearing capacity of resources and environment. [Conclusion] In future, major agriculture oriented county should coordinate relationship among agriculture, industries, ecology and population with rational distribution of territorial function in county to guarantee stable and sustainable agricultural development.

Rural Development Evaluation from Territorial Function Angle:a Case of Shandong Province

Rural territorial function follows the trend to develop from agricultural production space to a complex of cultural heritage,food security,social stability,quality of living,etc.Based on the rural area＇s territorial function to both urban and rural areas and its evolution law,index system of rural development evaluation,covering rural production function,rural consumption function,regional sustaining function,and individual development function were constructed in this paper.Case study based on Shandong Province and entropy method showed that the rural development in Shandong Province was neither stable nor orderly,and some of rural territorial functions were under fluctuation.The simulation result was close to the actual situation in rural areas of Shandong Province,and therefore,it would provide some experience for scientific evaluation of rural development in other regions.In the end,policy suggestion to cope with rural function transition was provided,namely further promoting the rural economic development,and breaking away from various factors that restricted the value realization,natural increment,and equitable distribution of rural production factors,and therefore,it would receive a sustainable rural development.

How territorial function determines CO_(2) emissions in China: An approach of spatial dimension

Regional CO_(2) emissions are closely related to their territorial function, which is the major role a region plays in sustainable processes on the earth's surface. Given that China is implementing a top-down emission allocation quota strategy, studying the impact of a territorial function on emissions addresses the research gap from a spatial integration dimension.By investigating the effects of three basic functional territories(urbanization zones(UZ), food security zones(FSZ), and ecological security zones(ESZ)), horizontal spatial structure and vertical combinations of functional territories on CO_(2) emission patterns in China, we found that functional territory patterns were highly coupled with the spatial distribution of CO_(2) emissions, with a ratio of CO_(2) emissions from UZ–FSZ–ESZ was stable at around 5:2:1 from 2000 to 2017. Spatially, CO_(2) emissions in FSZ and ESZ were 1.06–2.12 times higher than the average value within 200 km from the UZ. As territorial function combination increased with spatial upscaling, the emission characteristics attributable to functional territories became indistinct. The findings above can provide a basis for the long-term prediction of CO_(2) emissions from spatial dimension, support scientific guidance for inter-zone cooperation and classified management of carbon emissions with the major function oriented zones as impetus.

The scientific foundation of Major Function Oriented Zoning in China

Major function oriented zoning （MFOZ hereafter） is the guideline for optimizing the spatial pattern of regional development in China, which entails both theoretical and methodological innovation in the academic field of economic geography. This study analyzes the basic features of territorial function and puts forward a spatial equilibrium model for regional development for the first time. It argues that there exists a trend of regional convergence in the average value which indicates the comprehensive development status of any region. Based on this finding, the study illustrates that the formation of functional zone should be conducive to the narrowing of regional gap and that free flow of resources between regions is the prerequisite to spatial equilibrium. It also investigates the impact of territorial functional evolution on the process of spatial equilibrium and suggests that the maximization of benefits derived from zoning proposal is interrelative with the method of regional division and the degree of understanding towards the temporal changes of territorial function. Furthermore, this study goes on to examine the scientific foundation of several issues concerning the reconciliation between contradictory functions of development and protection, the selection of indicators and the spatial and temporal features of MFOZ. It is then probes into the rationality of achieving dual goals of efficiency and equality simultaneously through three-dimensional flow and spatial equilibrium. The paper ends with discussions on the position, implementation and coordination of MFOZ from the perspective of institutional arrangements of spatial governance including law, planning and government policy.

Territorial function differentiation and its comprehensive regionalization in China

During the sustainable development of land surface system,different territories undertake different functions.The understanding and representation of territorial differentiation of the land surface system is the main purpose of comprehensive function regionalization research.Focusing on the theoretical gap of comprehensive geographical regionalization,that is,the spatial decoupling of the physical environment and human activities,the non-nested relationship of spatial scale transformation,and the persistence and uncertainty of the dynamic evolution of territorial functions,this research proposed the identification principles and division methods of comprehensive functional regions.Based on the major function zoning in China,the systematic classification method with function orientation was employed to delineate the comprehensive functions of each territory,such as ecological security,food production and urban development.Then,the geographical regionalization method,which follows the principles of interconnection of different regionalization objectives at different levels and a combination of top-down decomposition and bottom-up aggregation,was used to determine the geographic boundaries.To meet the objective requirements of flexible and dynamic boundaries,two sets of land regionalization schemes for 2035 and 2050 were finally formed,each of which had three spatial levels.The first-level regionalization identified four major regions,which comprehensively represented the relatively stable state of China’s land development and protection pattern under the leading role of physical environment differentiation.The second-level regionalization identified 12 regions,which comprehensively represented the spatial layout of a new development pattern of multi-and inter-provinces coordinating the innovation chain,industrial chain and supply chain based on a relatively independent and complete natural carrier.The third-level regionalization identified 80 sub-regions,which comprehensively represented the functional differentiation patterns of sub-provinces during sustainable development.Compared with the current geographical differentiation research,the study of territorial function differentiation has academic values for the development of integrated geography in exploring the territorial system of the humanenvironment relationship,and it can provide a scientific basis for determining the territorial model of sustainable development and optimizing the pattern of spatial development and protection in China.

Unpacking the‘supply-utilization-demand’interplay:Keys to multifunctional sustainability in rural China

Sustainable rural development is predicated on a delicate balance between rural territorial functions and eco-logical constraints.While various functions can catalyze economic growth in rural settings,aligning them with inherent ecological variables is essential.An exhaustive analysis of Beijing’s Pinggu District elucidated specific supply-demand thresholds and evaluated the adaptability of current utilization within these boundaries,culmi-nating in a novel optimization strategy.Notably,while locals place significant emphasis on production functions,the area’s topography and soil characteristics present palpable challenges to achieving these goals.We discov-ered that‘shackle type’predominantly characterize individual rural territorial functions,while‘diversified weak function optimization type’define multifunctional aspects,showcasing varied development paths and uncov-ering potential strategies for sustainable improvement.This study contributes a groundbreaking perspective to sustainable rural development,offering key insights and strategic recommendations for policy formulation.

Ephrin-B1-mediated regulation of germinal center T-cell territoriality and function

Subject Code:C08With the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,a study by the research group led by Prof.Qi Hai(祁海)from the School of Medicine,Tsinghua University revealed a novel mechanism that regulates the germinal center reaction,aphysiological process that underlies high-quality

On the Historical Background,Scientific Intentions,Goal Orientation,and Policy Framework of Major Function-Oriented Zone Planning in China

主体功能区规划是新世纪以来我国在地域空间规划方面的一次重大创新和实践,"十二五"规划上升为国土空间开发和区域协调发展领域的国家战略之一。本文从改革开放以来我国区域发展失衡的三大主要问题:区域发展差距扩大、城镇化盲目、国土开发无序的分析入手,论述了通过地域空间规划确定合理的地域功能格局和国土空间开发结构的客观需求。进而探讨了地域功能的科学内涵和形成机制,揭示了自然生态本底功能和人类活动需求功能复合形成地域功能的过程;并结合主体功能区规划编制中的关键科学问题,如主体功能识别的指标体系选择、功能区的空间组织以及功能开发导向的确定等关键科学问题,探究了解决的具体路径和相关方案,并就支撑主体功能区规划实施的相关政策导向和改革框架进行了阐述。最后,从规划职责体系、空间规划体系和科技支撑体系三个方面对今后的实施、发展和完善主体功能区战略进行了讨论。

The functional evolution and system equilibrium of urban and rural territories

The coordinated development of urban and rural territorial systems has long been a scientific issue of concern in geography and socioeconomic development in China.Based on Territorial Function Theory,this paper establishes a theoretical framework to support the coordinated development of urban and rural territorial systems,analyzes the trend of functional evolution,discusses the impact of efficient allocation and orderly element flow on system equivalence development,and puts forward approaches and policy suggestions for equilibrium development in the future.The main conclusions are as follows:(1)The evolution of urban and rural territorial functions has experienced four stages:rural to rural,rural to urban transition,rural to urban,and urban to urban.In this process,territorial functions have been developed to be hierarchical and advanced.(2)Functional evolution enables urban and rural comparative advantages to be transformed from value difference to value equivalence.Increasing the flow intensity and reconstructing the flow space have become the necessary conditions for the coordination of development.(3)Land is the most important resource in China,and land system reform is the key to achieving equivalence development of urban and rural territorial systems,thereby determining the future equilibrium development of the two systems.

1Chinese human geography and its contributions

The aim of this paper is to sift through examples of outstanding contributions made by Chinese human geography in terms of social applications and explain the basic concepts and theoretical methods explored by human geography that are behind the applications of results with major social influence, so as to be able to summarize the main school that represents developments in contemporary Chinese human geography. Chinese human geography upholds the subject＇s designation as being integrated and interdisciplinary. Research focuses on interactions between the natural and human spheres of the Earth＇s surface, and it is guided by the understanding and effects of the processes of regional sustainable development at different spatial scales. Chinese human geography has innovatively established the following development paradigm： ＂To be guided by application requirements, refine key issues of the discipline in the course of solving major issues of human geography in national and regional development, and by solving those key issues, to enhance its ability to provide scientific and technological support to serve national and local needs while promoting its own development.＂ Results from early Chinese human geography studies on land use and agricultural zoning, recent research results on point-axis system models and T-shaped national spatial development patterns, and current research results on territorial function theory and major function oriented zones have all continued and strengthened the mainstream school of Chinese human geography and have avoided the global tendency for human geography to become rapidly human-oriented, while results have been applied at the highest level of decision-making management. Chinese human geography can provide lessons for developing countries and may play a leading role in the future development of global human geography.