Characteristics And Mechanism Of Urban Sociospatial Differentiation Based On Behavioral Geography

Under China’s unique hukou system,the sociospatial differentiation of different hukou groups has become increasingly prominent,which profoundly affects the urban life and social integration of the floating population,and poses challenges to urban social equity and the development of people-centered urbanization.With the continuous reconstruction and expansion of urban space,the increasing mobility of urban residents and the differentiation of daily lifestyles,the existing research paradigms based on static residential spaces are not enough to fully reveal the whole picture of sociospatial differentiation.Residents’ daily activity-travel behaviors have become the key to understanding the sociospatial differentiation of urban society.Behavioral geography provides a theoretical basis for the behavioral turn of sociospatial differentiation research.The research paradigm based on behavioral geography helps to identify the sociospatial differentiation pattern of different hukou groups more comprehensively and dynamically.Therefore,combining behavioral geography and sociospatial differentiation theory,this study develops a series of multi-dimensional measurement index for sociospatial differentiation in terms of social exposure,social interaction,and social communication.Taking the suburban Shanghai as a case,this study uses test of statistical significance and spatial visualization method to describe the characteristics and differences of sociospatial differentiation of different hukou groups,and establishes OLS regression models to explore the influence mechanism of sociospatial differentiation under the constraints of hukou system.This study summarizes the social space issues faced by the floating population,and proposes the optimization strategy of the social space of the floating population.The study finds that there are differences in the characteristics of sociospatial differentiation of different hukou groups in the dimensions of social exposure,social interaction and social communication.Daily activity-travel behavior has a positive effect on promoting the inter-group encounter,but the floating population still face the risk of sociospatial segregation due to low mobility.Based on the results of the OLS regression models,this study finds that the hukou system at the macro level,the differences in the built environment and social environment at the meso level,and the differences in individual income,activity space,lifestyle,migration history and social network at the micro level have jointly shaped the social space of different hukou groups.The study summarizes the barriers to social spatial development of floating population,including high dependence on residential space,mobility dilemma,social and economic constraints,and limited social network.Thus,this paper has some implications for policies targeted to socio-spatial equality among different hukou groups,including optimizing the infrastructure and public transportation of suburban communities,improving labor and social security,and creating opportunities for social participation of floating population.The results of this study will support for people-centered urban planning and social governance.