Spatial Differentiation Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Public Cultural Facilities in Xinjiang

Public cultural facilities are the cornerstone of the construction of the public cultural service system. Exploring the spatial pattern of public cultural service facilities is significant for clarifying regional differences in public cultural services, optimizing the allocation of urban cultural facilities, and promoting the equalization of public cultural services. This study constructs a dual-dimensional equalization evaluation system of geographical density and per capita quantity to reveal the spatial mismatch phenomenon of public cultural facilities in Xinjiang. Using methods such as the nearest neighbor index and kernel density analysis, combined with the geodetector, the distribution patterns of public cultural facilities in 14 prefectures and cities in Xinjiang are systematically analyzed. The results show that public cultural facilities in Xinjiang exhibit significant agglomeration characteristics, with museums having the most prominent spatial agglomeration degree (NNI = 0.523) and imbalance degree (S = 0.284). A spatial pattern centered on Urumqi characterized by “dense in the northwest and sparse in the southeast” has formed. There exists a spatial mismatch phenomenon between high-density and low-per capita population and low-density and high-per capita population in terms of geographical density and population distribution. Population size is the key factor in facility distribution, while cultural demand and economic level are the main factors, and fiscal capacity and education level are secondary factors, with transportation conditions being general factors. In this paper, we analyze the spatial differentiation characteristics of public cultural facilities in Xinjiang and the influencing factors in order to provide typical cases and practical references for optimizing the allocation of urban cultural facilities and promoting their equalization.