In situ characteristics and patterns of settlement spatial differentiation along the Grand Canal’s Tianjin Section

The aim is to reveal the in situ patterns of spatial arrangement of rural settlements along the Tianjin Section of the Grand Canal. The research results indicate that: (1) Within the in situ scope of rural settlements, the resource conditions are characterized by adequate overall integrity and diversity, with lower evenness in comparison to diversity, and a relatively strong overall landscape advantage. (2) The in situ type classification results indicate 749 settlements can be categorized into four primary types and 16 subtypes. (3) The ferry and dock type and military garrison-type settlements under the canal transport-based type, the water transport and fishing type, the vegetable planting type, and the handicrafts type settlements under the industry-based type, the ancient city ruins type settlements under the history-based type, and the traditional craft type settlements under the folk-culture-based type all exhibit a distinct pattern of aggregation. (4) The spatial patterns of rural settlements follow multiple causal patterns.