Research on the spatial distribution of rural settlements based on GIS

Using GIS spatial analysis technology, Voronoi diagrams theory, and the landscape pattern index analysis method, this paper studies spatial distribution characteristics, landscape layout characteristics of Longyang District which is a typical plateau area. The analysis results show that CV value of rural settlements in Longyang District is 99.10%, which demonstrates the distribution of rural settlements in Longyang District is in cluster; that all of 16 towns’ rural settlements are cluster distribution, four streets’ CV values are greater than the Longyang’s CV value, showing high cluster characteristics; In Longyang District, 2 ~ 5 level terrain is the advantage distribution range of rural settlements; terrain at level 2and 3, a distribution of superior performance is more apparent; since terrain at level 4, with the increase of terrain, the area of rural settlements and the number of patches decrease, but average patch fractal dimension has little change, the size of patches are small and patches’ shapes are irregular. This study shows the layout characteristics of rural settlements in Longyang and their related reasons, which can provide scientific basis for rural residential planning and construction.