Deconstructing Citywalk: A Multilayered Network Analysis of Urban Leisure Walking in Shanghai, China, from a Social Media Perspective

This study introduces a novel “multi-dimensional network spatial organization” framework to decode the emerging Citywalk phenomenon in Shanghai, China. By constructing and coupling three layers of networks—functional association, spatial proximity, and path support—based on 23,436 geotagged social media posts and 6,097 point of interest records, this research offers a new lens to examine the complex spatial dynamics of urban leisure walking. The functional network analysis reveals Citywalk’s polycentric, heterogeneous spatial structure, with a significantly weakened center-periphery pattern (power-law exponent = ‒1.34, P < 0.01). The spatial proximity network uncovers a coexistence of individual spontaneity (density = 0.0037) and group organization (clustering coefficient = 0.4067, P < 0.01), while the path support network highlights the micromechanisms of walking behavior reshaping urban space (modularity Q = 0.7425, P < 0.01). The multilayer network coupling analysis indicates a fragmentation within contraction pattern, with community numbers increasing from 33 to 128 (P < 0.01) after incorporating behavioral dimensions, suggesting that homogeneous spatial zones are being replaced by heterogeneous behavioral domains. These findings extend the complex network theory to explain urban spatial organization and expand the boundaries of behavioral geography. The multidimensional network spatial organization framework provides a replicable analytical approach for studying similar social media–driven spontaneous walking activities. The research yields three practical planning tools: a network community–based delineation method for natural renewal units, a hierarchical optimization strategy for walking systems based on path support intensity, and a precision intervention mechanism based on functional clusters-linkage corridors. This integration of network science with urban planning provides a systematic solution to enhance urban walkability applicable to postindustrial cities globally, contributing to both theoretical advancement and practical innovation in urban studies.