Land consolidation and rural vitalization: A perspective of land use multifunctionality

The long- term supply- demand imbalance of rural land use functions (RLUFs) is one of the main reasons for rural issues in China. Based on the multifunctionality theory, this study explained the mutual relationship between rural land consolidation (RLC) and rural vitalization with a focus on supply-demand and element- structure- function relationships, and then discussed how to realize the supply- demand balance of RLUFs through RLC so as to promote sustainable rural development. The results show that: 1) Comprehensive rural land consolidation is a multifunctional land use method and an important means to solve rural issues for promoting rural vitalization. In essence, it is the transition from productivism that focuses on economic benefits to non- productivism that takes social, economic, and environmental benefits as a whole. 2) RLUFs include production, living, ecological, and cultural functions, corresponding to the economic, social, enviromental, and cultural demands of rural vitalization. The production functions are divided into agricultural, commercial, and industrial functions, and living functions include residential, employment, and public service functions. 3) Along the path of integrating land use elements, restructuring land use structures, and optimizing land use functions, RLC promotes the supply-demand balance of RLUFs from the supply side according to local conditions. 4) In future research, the mechanisms and modes of RLC impact on rural vitalization at different spatial scales, as well as quantitative analysis of the functional supply of land use and the functional demand of rural vitalization under the influence of RLC should be given more attention, thus laying a scientific foundation for the formulation and implementation of land use and rural vitalization planning.