Classification of Rural Areas by Typology : A Case Study of Yunlin & Chiayi, Taiwan

In the past, Taiwan's spatial planning has focused on the development of urban areas and overlooked rural areas, which has led to difficulty in promoting rural-urban relationships. This study suggests that rural areas should not just be seen as single entities, but as a collection of distinct areas. Since it is becoming important to develop a new spatial planning in Taiwan, this study examines territorial space structure from a regional perspective, with a focus on the development of the rural areas of Yunlin & Chiayi. Consequently, this study aims to classify rural areas by the procedure of typology, in terms of their development dynamics, location, and economic structure, selecting appropriate indicators for each focus of inquiry. The study then uses cluster analysis, accessibility analysis and overlay analysis methods to classify information about these rural areas. This approach will show the differences in their spatial characteristics along with their histories of development through time, as well as the relationship between these rural areas and the overall region in which they are situated. It is hoped that this research will provide a more accurate description than currently exists of the rural areas studied in this paper, and that this information will be a useful resource to those who are developing new plans and policies, so that better integration can occur between urban and rural in Taiwan.