The science of rural human settlements

This journal article explores the challenges faced by rural villages amid rapid urbanisation worldwide, including depopulation, population ageing, and inadequate infrastructure and public services. It advocates for the enhancement of rural human settlements to achieve better rural development and the fulfilment of the 2030 sustainable development goals. Drawing on Constantinos Doxiadis's science of human settlements, the article conducts a bibliometric analysis of studies related to rural human settlements over the past 25 years. It predicts a gradual increase in the number of such studies, with a current emphasis on improving rural ecological environments and creating healthy rural human settlement environments.

The article suggests that these topics will continue to be prominent in the coming decades, along with increasing attention to higher-level demands such as rural cultural environments and villagers' self-realisation. By reviewing relevant literature, the article argues for a comprehensive consideration of various aspects of rural human settlements, which can contribute significantly to their comprehensive development. Despite similar focuses among scholars globally, differences in country conditions lead to variations in research emphases. Nonetheless, the accumulation of relevant literature contributes to the advancement of the science of human settlements.

Abstract based directly on original source.