Research on the Dynamic Evolution and Influencing Factors of Urban-rural Cultural Integration

Based on the process and status of urban-rural cultural integration, an evaluation index system for the development of urban-rural cultural integration was constructed. The level of urban-rural cultural integration from 2017 to 2023 was measured across 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China, and its spatial patterns, evolutionary trends, and core influencing factors were explored. The results show: (1) From 2017 to 2023, the overall level of urban-rural cultural integration across all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China exhibited an upward trend. From the perspective of regional spatiotemporal differentiation, the integration level in all four major regional clusters showed an improving trend. (2) Urban-rural cultural integration in China demonstrates significant spatial correlation, evolving from “weak correlation” to “strong correlation” in a fluctuating pattern. (3) The level of urban-rural cultural integration exhibits distinct spatial differentiation, with coastal provinces serving as the core region, while the level decreases progressively toward the north, northwest, and southwest directions. In recent years, the spatial scope has gradually expanded, the center of gravity has shifted northward, and the distribution pattern has remained relatively stable. (4) Factors such as economic structure, development level, urban-rural income disparity, cultural expenditure, and cultural activities have varying degrees of positive effects on the level of urban-rural cultural integration across different regions. Based on this, relevant suggestions are proposed, and prospects for future research are outlined.