A multi-activity view of intra-urban travel networks : a case study of Beijing

Abstract

Urban structure is a vital aspect that profoundly influences the livability and sustainability of cities. Although extensive explorations have conducted on urban structure from the perspective of human mobility, there remains a gap in understanding urban travel networks (UTNs) and spatial structures from a multi-activity perspective. In this study, we first inferred the locations and types of daily activity for over four million Beijing residents through multi-source data fusion. Subsequently, we constructed eight UTNs based on multiple travel flows and employed spatial analysis methods and complex network analytics to explore the structural similarities and disparities across these networks. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity, hierarchy, and dependency characteristics within all UTNs in Beijing. Notably, the spatial patterns of UTNs reflect that the current urban structure of Beijing is a hybrid pattern, characterized by the coexistence of polycentric and sector patterns. This study provides a comprehensive portrayal of Beijing's current urban spatial structure and offers valuable scientific insights into urban spatial governance and the configuration of public facilities.