The Realization Mechanism of Rural Multi-Value Comes from Rural Living Environment Improvement in Mountainous Areas of Western China

In solving the rural decay problem, exploring rural values, promoting rural economic development, and improving the rural living environment have become popular in many countries worldwide. However, few studies show how improving the rural living environment affects realizing rural multi-value. Therefore, this study investigated the actual problems villages faced in most countries and built an evaluation index system for the effectiveness of rural living environment improvement and the degree of realization of rural multi-value from the commonality + individuality dimension. The model was based on a clear theoretical logic of improving the rural living environment and realizing rural multi-value. A typical town in Gansu Province of China was selected as the case study to reveal the realistic correlation and action process and to design a differentiated path for improving the rural living environment to help realize rural multi-value. The results showed that enhancing the rural living environment had a basic supporting effect on rural multi-value. The effectiveness of rural living environment improvement and the degree of realization of rural multi-value had a spatial convergence. Also, improving the environment toward realizing rural multi-value involved the following: toilet renovation and household waste management were the core factors; improving the village outlook was crucial; focusing on the domestic sewage treatment; and constructing infrastructures was the link. Overall, this study deepened the understanding of the impact of the rural living environment on the rural multi-value. The findings provided new insights for rural policymakers to understand better the impact of living environment improvement on rural development. Also, the results provided practical guidance for developing countries to solve rural decay problems and promote sustainable development.