Determinants and governance of unused rural residential bases in the context of Rural Revitalisation in China

The issue of unused rural residential bases in China, particularly in areas like Xin'an Town, challenges efficient land use and rural revitalisation goals. Historical practices, including the inheritance of multiple home sites per household ("one household, many homes") and inconsistent enforcement of policies like "one household, one residence," have led to significant land idleness. Farmers' limited awareness of collective land ownership laws also contributes to this inefficiency. This study combines field investigation, questionnaire surveys, and binary logistic regression analysis to identify key factors contributing to the unused rural residential bases. Field observation involved direct visits to the study area to gather qualitative insights into the socio-cultural factors influencing land use. Additionally, household surveys were conducted through interviews and questionnaires to collect quantitative data on family size, income levels, income sources, and policy awareness. The logistic regression model was then used to quantitatively assess these variables' impact on unused rural residential bases. The analysis reveals that family size, income, and income sources are significant determinants of unused rural residential bases. Larger families tend to use land more actively, whereas higher-income households and those with non-agricultural income sources exhibit higher rates of idleness due to a greater tendency for urban migration. Policy awareness alone was found to be insufficient in incentivising effective land use. To reduce unused rural residential bases and promote efficient use, the study recommends (1) compulsory recovery and clearance of abandoned land; (2) financial incentives for releasing inherited unused land; (3) development of local industries to create jobs and reduce migration; and (4) stricter enforcement of land-use policies with enhanced community awareness efforts. These measures support the goals of Rural Revitalisation.