Platform-attracting urban places – distribution and characteristics of ridesharing meeting points through a Hungarian case study

Accelerated technological change, particularly the rise of digital platforms, has fundamentally changed everyday activities such as mobility and consumption, with notable spatial implications, especially in urban areas. These platforms have become a prominent force in the transformation of space, giving rise to new academic fields of study, such as the sharing economy and, more recently, platform urbanism. In this paper, we offer an empirical snapshot of platform embeddedness in the urban space through a case study of a shared-use mobility platform in the Hungarian context. Using data from a ridesharing platform, we analyze the main characteristics and spatial distribution of locations that serve as meeting points within settlement borders. Our findings reveal a trend of spatial asymmetry, with meeting points predominantly located near main roads and highways – reflecting the utilitarian preferences of ridesharing participants. Furthermore, concentrations near city centers suggest a balance between functional proximity to major routes and symbolic or practical value tied to landmarks and accessibility. Notably, many of the most popular meeting points are located at hypermarkets, indicating that not only traditional transportation hubs, but also informal, non-transport-specific spaces, are being repurposed through platform use. Based on our results regarding where meeting points tend to emerge, we introduce the concept of ‘platform-attracting urban places’ to contribute to the conceptualization of the spatial impact of digital platforms on urban environments.