A study of the methods for the division of the boundary between urban and rural areas based on multiple conditions: A case study of Xi’an

Abstract

Based on summarizing the research on the division of urban and rural areas, this paper defines the attributes of “cities” and “villages”. By using the method based on multi-layer condition, in combination with cumulative percentage and other mathematical methods, adopting the spatial comparison method by using Google Earth satellite images, the optimal threshold is decided through multi-condition screening and then the definitional standards are confirmed. This paper divides the urban and rural areas by selecting Xi’an city as the research area. The divided results compare to the results concluded by the National Bureau of Statistics of the People’s Republic of China. It is found that the urbanization rate is reduced by 3.24%. Through overlapping comparison of satellite remote sensing images, it is proven that the feasibility and sophistication of the methods for the division of urban and rural areas through screening multiple conditions.