This chapter introduce the research background, framework, and methodology and data sources of the book. The goal of this book is to explore the evolution of rural life space in China's Jianghan Plain, a vital agricultural region, amidst ongoing urbanization, rural restructuring, and the national rural revitalization strategy. Aiming to address a research gap in “human-centered” rural geography, this book integrates everyday activities of rural inhabitants and adapts methodologies from behavioral and time geography. The core objectives are to: (1) Accurately characterize multi-dimensional changes in rural living spaces, encompassing residential, employment, consumption, and leisure activities. (2) Quantitatively analyze the internal and external mechanisms driving these transformations. (3) Assess the impacts of these spatial changes on the broader rural living environment. Methodologies include GIS spatial visualization, statistical analysis (e.g., multiple regression), and extensive questionnaire surveys of 2437 households conducted between 2007 and 2017. Data sources comprise Landsat TM imagery (2000–2015), various statistical yearbooks, and the detailed survey data on residents’ daily activities and perceptions. The findings are intended to provide a scientific basis for sustainable rural development in the Jianghan Plain and beyond.