Spatiotemporal coupling between catering POIs and nighttime light data: a case study of Fuzhou

The integration of POI data and nighttime light remote sensing data provides valuable insights into the spatial development structure of a city. This study examines the spatiotemporal evolution of restaurant POI distribution and nighttime light intensity in Fuzhou from 2018 to 2022, uncovering key characteristics of urban development patterns and economic dynamics. The findings reveal an overall growth trend in Fuzhou’s dining industry, with notable increases in POI numbers in suburban areas such as Minhou and Changle, while core urban districts like Gulou and Taijiang experienced a relative decline. Spatially, high-intensity commercial areas are concentrated in administrative and economic centers, while peripheral regions show slower POI growth. A clear core-periphery gradient emerges in the distribution of both nighttime light and POIs. Furthermore, the outward expansion of high-intensity coupling zones signals the acceleration of suburban commercialization, while remote areas remain underdeveloped, highlighting ongoing regional disparities in development.