Sociology and anthropology believe that urban-rural integration refers to the relatively developed cities and relatively backward rural areas, which break down the barriers of mutual division, gradually realize the rational flow and optimal combination of production factors, promote the rational distribution of productive forces between cities and rural areas, closely integrate and coordinate urban-rural economic and social life, and gradually narrow or even eliminate the basic differences between urban and rural areas, thus realizing urban-rural integration. From the perspective of economic development law and rational distribution of productive forces, economists believe that urban-rural integration is an objective requirement for the increasingly close relationship between agriculture and industry in modern economy, which means the unified layout of urban-rural economy, strengthening economic exchanges and cooperation between urban and rural areas, optimizing the division of labor between urban and rural productive forces, rational distribution and coordinated development, and achieving the best economic benefits. Some scholars only discuss the coordinated development of urban and rural industries, which can be called urban-rural industrial integration.

legal ground

Article 2 of the People's Republic of China (PRC) Rural Revitalization Promotion Law is applicable to the full implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, promoting the development of rural industries, talents, culture, ecology and organizations, and realizing the integration of urban and rural development. The term "village" as mentioned in this Law refers to a regional complex with natural, social and economic characteristics and multiple functions such as production, life, ecology and culture, including towns and villages.