Spatiotemporal Variation in Spatial Vitality Reveals Gender Differences in Park Usage: An Empirical Study from Dalian, China

Based on multi-source data including mobile signaling data and remote sensing imagery, this research constructed human activity indicators and applied spatial analysis methods to identify gender-specific patterns in green space usage across different types of days. A Standardized Gender Difference Index (SDI) was developed to quantify gender-based disparities in both temporal and spatial dimensions. Correlation analysis was employed to examine spatial influencing factors and their interrelationships. The results indicate that on holidays, a stable male-dominant usage pattern was observed across all parks, with males showing a preference for cultural parks. On weekdays, although male users remain predominant overall, considerable variations exist among parks. On a daily scale, males exhibit earlier and more flexible activity patterns, whereas females demonstrate significantly lower presence during evening hours, indicating a “nocturnal poverty” phenomenon. Spatially, community parks display the greatest gender disparity, whereas comprehensive parks show relative gender balance. Although both genders value barrier-free facilities, females place additional emphasis on service facilities, while males are more influenced by mixed land-use functions surrounding the parks. This study demonstrates that high-precision, large-coverage multi-source data can accurately and dynamically identify gender-based differences in green space usage and their influencing factors, providing valuable insights for inclusive urban planning.