Analysis of the Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Residences and Workplaces under the Influence of Metro Transportation in Metropolises from the Perspectives of Accessibility and Travelers’ Industries: The Case of Guangzhou

Changdong Ye, Qiluan He, Wanlin Huang () and Haitao Ma
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Changdong Ye: College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Qiluan He: College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Wanlin Huang: Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
Haitao Ma: Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-14

Abstract: The spatial separation between residences and workplaces of citizens is a challenge encountered by many, causing urban problems like long-distance commutes, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution due to the heavy usage of cars. As a result of this phenomenon, metro transportation has become an increasingly important means of transportation in metropolises. To further understand the spatial separation issues, we analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of areas under the influence of metro transportation in metropolises, and this could provide new approaches to this challenge. This research used Guangzhou city as a case study to investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of residences and workplaces from two perspectives: accessibility, and the type of the travelers’ industries. The analysis was mainly based on (1) passengers’ travel data provided by Guangzhou Metro Group Co., Ltd. (Guangzhou, China); (2) the resident population, based on the sixth national census in China; and (3) the employed population, based on the third economic census of China. Our research resulted in three key findings. First, the spatial separation of residences and workplaces was generally noticeable in Guangzhou but was less noticeable in the area with metro stations. Second, workplaces were concentrated in the central ring while residences were concentrated in the inner suburban ring in Guangzhou. Third, there was a relative concentration of workplaces in the same service industry and the workplaces of each service industry were concentrated in separate, respective areas in Guangzhou. On the basis of these findings, we provided suggestions for policymakers to develop specific and effective actions to mitigate the negative impacts of spatial separation.

Keywords: spatial distributions; residence; workplace; metro transportation; accessibility; travelers’ industry difference; metropolises; Guangzhou (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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