Evaluation of Transport Dominance and Delimitation of Land Suitability for Construction in the Yushu Earthquake Region
基于交通优势度的建设用地适宜性评价与实证——以玉树地震灾区为例

Each region has different spatial attributions and therefore different suitability for human construction. The scale and spatial network of transport infrastructure is an important factor in a region’s suitability for construction, and influences the selection of residential and industrial areas. Here, we construct a methodology to appraise regional transport dominance. At the macroscopic dimension, the methodology chiefly focuses on integrated regional dominance of various transport infrastructure (railway, road and airport), physical spatial patterns and overall features. At the microscopic dimension this methodology applies a grid model to evaluate transport dominance and determine the physical factors (height and slope) influencing transport dominance. We use the Yushu earthquake region as our focal area, including the whole earthquake region and worst-hit area of Yushu county. We discuss the hierarchical structure and spatial differentiation of regional transport dominance and supporting capacity of transport infrastructures. Based on the spatial pattern of regional transport dominance, we further analyze differentiation of land suitability and delimit suitable regions for human socioeconomic activity. The results show that about one-tenth of land resources in Yushu County has high construction suitability and is suitable for human settlements and socioeconomic activity, but 75% of land resources have low suitability. We delimit accurately the spatial scope of the suitable region according to higher suitability, spatial continuum, and land area and identify five regions (Batang Beachland, Jiegu Town area, Longbao area, Shanglaxiu area, Xialaxiu area. However, Batang Beachland and Jiegu Town) that have the best spatial allocation of transportation, terrain height, slope, water resources and agriculture, and have the highest suitability to construct a city, town, residential center, and industrial park. The methodology presented here will increase the accuracy of transport dominance, and help to evaluate the construction suitability of land resources and delimit functional areas for spatial planning.