Development Potential Assessment and Sustainable Utilization Pathways of Idle Rural Resources in Mountainous Counties of Eastern China: A Case Study of Suichang County, Zhejiang Province

In the context of stock-based development, assessing the development potential of idle rural resources and formulating differentiated utilization pathways are important for improving resource-use efficiency and stimulating endogenous rural development in mountainous counties. However, existing studies mainly focus on single resource types and lack both an integrated framework for multiple idle rural resources and effective links between potential assessment and classified utilization. Taking Suichang County, Zhejiang Province, as a case study, this study constructs an evaluation index system for idle rural resource development potential. GIS-based spatial analysis and geographically weighted regression (GWR) reveal the spatial differentiation of development potential and its driving factors. On this basis, a three-dimensional framework of “potential–driving force–resistance” is used to classify resource utilization types and formulate differentiated pathways. The results show significant spatial heterogeneity in the development potential of idle rural resources in Suichang County, characterized by “central agglomeration, two-wing diffusion, and peripheral weakening” and a “three cores and two zones” pattern. The driving factors display significant spatial non-stationarity. Idle rural resources are classified into six utilization types with corresponding utilization strategies. This study provides a scientific basis and practical reference for classified revitalization, zoned policy implementation, and sustainable rural transformation in similar mountainous counties.