Analysis on the Characteristics and Driving Factors of Urban Spatial Expansion of Early-Developing Regions in Western China: A Case Study of Shaanxi Province.

Compared with the stock-land exploitation of developed regions in eastern China, the development path in the western regions still relies on land expansion. Among them, Shaanxi stands out as an early-developing region with the highest comprehensive social and economic development level in the west, presenting a more significant and typical phenomenon of urban expansion. This paper utilizes remote sensing image data and socioeconomic statistical data, employing mathematical and statistical analysis methods to examine the types and patterns of urban spatial expansion in Shaanxi over multiple years. It also summarizes the laws of expansion and subsequently delves into the driving factors of the spatial expansion. The result shows that the important driving factors of urban expansion in Shaanxi include natural geographical conditions, the economic development basis, the development of new towns and new areas, the drive of large-scale projects, and the guidance of urban and rural planning. The differences in driving factors between the east and west can be explained by the stages of regional development and the effects of administrative boundaries. This research aims to provide localized insights into the rational regulation of urban spatial evolution and efficient land use in similar regions and latedeveloping regions in western China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]