Daily mobility spaces of Beijing’s suburban population

Abstract

Due to the rapid suburbanization of Chinese cities, the diversity of the environment, the types of housing and the social communities that have arisen as a consequence matter more and more. Taking Beijing as an example, this paper examines the spatial growth of these cities in recent decades, as well as the changes produced in the population, the housing stock, the industrial sites and the commercial establishments of the suburbs. The suburban area between the fourth and sixth ring roads has developed most in recent years. Daily mobility in the Shandi-Qinghe sector of Beijing is explored based on the daily activities recorded by a sample of the inhabitants themselves and on mobility data captured by GPS for a week. Journeys to work, spaces of shopping and other leisure activities are analysed, comparing three groups defined by their places of residence and work. These three groups show significant differences in terms of their socio-economic profiles, travel routes to work, and places of shopping and entertainment. In short, the suburban area of Beijing is becoming increasingly complex and mature.