How Urban Block Form Affects the Vitality of the Catering Industry: Evidence from Jinan, China

Abstract

Existing research underscores the significance of block form in fostering urban vitality. However, there is a dearth of evidence on its influence on the catering industry’s vitality. Additionally, current studies investigating the correlation between block form and urban vitality have frequently neglected disparities among various types of blocks with dominant functions. We employ a multi-scale geographically weighted regression and a geographic detector to elucidate the effects of block form and the heterogeneity of blocks with dominant functions on the catering industry’s vitality. Our findings suggest that the suitable block form can mitigate the catering industry’s reliance on factors such as the regional population and public transportation infrastructure, to a certain degree. High-rise buildings and irregular block plans positively influence the catering industry’s vitality, while the effects of block area, building density, and functional density display considerable spatial heterogeneity. Commercial blocks are most influenced by block form, whereas public service blocks are least affected. The methodology of this study can be replicated globally to guide urban planners in judiciously allocating commercial facilities, based on the varying spatial form requirements of different blocks, thereby fostering a vibrant city.