This study utilized the Topographic Position Index (TPI) to quantitatively identify the spatial characteristics of ruralness in Gochang County, Jeollabuk-do, and proposed management strategies for different landscape types. In response to the implementation of rural space restructuring policies, this study aimed to complement the limitations of existing urban planning-centered approaches and move beyond amenity-based resource classification by attempting a landscape interpretation that reflects topography, water systems, and spatial structure. Using 30-m SRTM DEM data, we calculated TPI for circular neighborhoods with a 500-m radius, representing the basic living-area unit. Hilly areas were then delineated where the slope was ≤ 10° and TPI was ≥ 5. After correlation analysis and standardization (Z-score), K-means clustering analysis (K=3) was conducted to classify Gochang's hilly areas into forest-type, facility farmland-type, and grassland-type. The forest type has high elevation, slope, and forest coverage, making it highly valuable for conservation. The facility farmland type is characterized by low elevation and flat terrain supporting intensive agricultural activities. The grassland type has a mixed structure with no dominant land use, offering high potential for land use conversion. Differentiated management strategies, such as ecological conservation, agricultural environment management, and mixed-use development, were proposed for each type. This study presents a practical analytical framework for spatializing rural characteristics based on topography, demonstrating its potential as foundational data for region-specific rural spatial planning.