Comparing the Spatial Distribution of Popular Destinations in the Era of Mobile Internet: Case Studies of 9 Cities in the Pearl River Delta

Abstract

In the era of mobile Internet, the development of the influencer economy has given rise to emerging consumer spaces and popular destinations, which are new hot topics for urban public space research. Based on TikTok popular destinations check-in data and using statistical analysis, kernel density analysis, and optimized hotspot method, this study quantitatively measures different spatial distributions of popular destinations in the Pearl River Delta and nine cities within it and explores the relationship between spatial structure and built environment and the causes. The results show that the spatial distribution of popular destinations shows an obvious dual structure, and the spatial hotness spreads and decreases from the central cities (Guangzhou and Shenzhen) to the peripheral cities. Meanwhile, the spatial distribution characteristics of popular destinations within different cities have obvious heterogeneity, and the heterogeneity of developed cities is weaker than that of less developed cities.