Assessment of Influence Mechanisms of Built Environment on Street Vitality Using Multisource Spatial Data: A Case Study in Qingdao, China

Abstract

Street vitality is a significant indicator of a city’s capacity for sustainable development. Significant progress has been made on the basis of measurements of a single indicator of street vitality, but few studies have used multisource data to measure street vitality in a comprehensive way. In this study, in order to explore the multidimensional vitality characteristics of streets, streets were taken as the analysis unit, and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) evaluation model with combined weights was used to identify the spatial pattern of streets vitality from social, economic, and cultural dimensions using multisource spatial data such as Baidu heat map, Meituan store rating, and cultural facilities points of interest in the main urban area of Qingdao City, China. Using a Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model, the spatial correlations and differences between street built environment components and multidimensional street vitality were examined, to reveal the influence mechanism of street vitality creation in each street. The study found that the comprehensive vitality of the streets in the main urban area of Qingdao City exhibits the spatial differentiation features of “weak east–west, strong central, multicenter, cluster type”. Furthermore, although commercial and public services are essential for enhancing street vitality and attracting crowds, a very high degree of functional mix has not resulted in a high degree of street vitality. Lastly, high spatial heterogeneity between built environment factors and street vitality necessitates considering the functional positioning and development basis of the street, tailoring to local conditions and policies, considering the street’s vitality development status and development needs, complementing strengths, promoting coordinated development, and releasing and enhancing the street’s vitality. Therefore, it is essential to explore street vitality and its influencing mechanisms to improve people’s quality of life and promote sustainable urban development.