Integrating global and local goals: Decoding dynamic evolution and influencing factors of rural settlement sustainable development

The global challenges of rural decline have raised increasing attention to rural settlement sustainable development (RSSD). Effective local governance actions are expected to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural areas. Here we integrated global SDGs with China's rural revitalization strategy to develop a stereoscopic theoretical framework for the re-examination of RSSD. Systematic methods were applied to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanism of RSSD. We found that: China's RSSD have made significant progress from 2005 to 2020, particularly in the central region, yet internal dimensions remained a relationship of barely coordination. While governance's support for RSSD have increased, obstacle degrees of social, economic, and ecological dimensions escalated over time. Notable differences in RSSD were observed between the eastern and western regions. Although inertia existed in spatio-temporal transition of RSSD, provinces of LL type possessed the potential to escape from the low-level trap. The phased change of dominant drivers indicated a shift from terrain to land use pattern. RSSD could be better explained by the interaction of land use pattern, resource endowments, and regional connection factors. Necessary measures of regional networked development and rural land use planning will facilitate the achievement of ambitious prospects for RSSD.