Correlation of Built-up Land Density, Transportation Network, and Activity-Travel Patterns with Activity Space: A Temporal Study

The issue of sustainability in urban land use is increasingly relevant in the context of preparedness for future crises, based on the experience of community spatial dynamics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies that temporally examine the relationship between the built environment, transportation systems, and individual activity-travel patterns are still limited. This study explores changes in activity-travel patterns and activity spaces on weekdays and weekends between before and during the pandemic, and investigates the correlation of built-up land density, transportation network characteristics, and activity-travel patterns with activity spaces using Spearman’s rank analysis. Activity space is measured through two indicators: how far the distributions of out-of-home activity locations are from the home location (Ih), and the diversity level of out-of-home activity locations from their center of out-of-home activity locations (Ic). The results show that commercial area density (r = -0.004 to -0.241) and time allocation at home for mandatory activities (r = -0.014 to - 0.473), maintenance (r = -0.021 to -0.291), and leisure (r = -0.008 to -0.487) are negatively related to activity space. In contrast, time allocated out-of-home for maintenance (r = 0.038 to 0.662) and leisure (r = 0.139 to 0.625) activities was positively correlated. Time allocated for mandatory activities out-of-home was positively correlated (r = 0.242 to 0.588) with Ih, while non-motorized mode use showed a positive correlation with Ic (r = 0.041 to 0.212). These relationships were generally consistent temporally, although not always significant. Meanwhile, road network characteristics made relatively little contribution to activity space, while trip duration, motorcycle use, number of trips, and trip chains actually strengthened during the pandemic period (r = 0.767 to 0.911, p < 0.05). These findings deepen our understanding of the relationship between the built environment and spatial mobility, and provide a basis for formulating land management policies that support efficient, adaptive, and sustainable mobility.