Evaluation of the quality of rural human settlement in Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi adjoining areas and study on pluralistic governance

Improving rural human settlement quality is a crucial component of promoting global sustainable development. The Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi adjoining region, as a typical ecologically fragile and multi-ethnic area in southwest China, faces challenges in rural human settlement governance, including inadequate infrastructure, uneven regional development, and insufficient coordination among multiple subjects. To address these challenges, this study established a rural human settlement environment quality assessment system as its core analytical foundation. The system consists of indicators covering the production-living-ecological (PLES) dimensions and the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder governance, including infrastructure, public services, ecological protection, economic development, and social participation. Data were derived from statistical yearbooks, government reports, and remote-sensing sources, and indicator weights were determined using the entropy method to ensure objectivity and scientific rigor. Based on this framework, the study employs spatial analysis and the geographic detector model to empirically analyze the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and driving mechanisms of the Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi adjoining region from 2015 to 2022, with a particular focus on exploring the interactive effects among the three main subjects: government, market, and society. The results indicate: (1) The government plays a dominant role, but spatial heterogeneity is prominent; (2) Regional coordination and differentiation coexist, with Qiannan, Baise, and Qujing standing out in terms of ecological and living environment improvements, while Wenshan and Zhaotong city lag behind; (3) Information technology has emerged as a new driving force; (4) The synergistic effects of multiple subjects are significant, with government, market, and society interacting extensively. In the future, efforts should be strengthened to promote the shared construction and use of information infrastructure, improve multi-subject collaborative mechanisms, and drive high-quality regional development.