Spatially heterogeneous associations between the built environment and heatwave-related changes in leisure activity

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense under climate change, posing increasing risks to public health and constraining outdoor leisure activities. Individuals may adapt by changing when, where, and whether they engage in leisure activities, yet little is known about the spatial pattern of these behavioral changes or how the associations between these changes and the built environment vary across space. Using Chengdu, China, as a case study, we quantified the heatwave-related change in leisure activity (CLA) from Weibo check-in data as the difference in average daily densities of leisure-activity-related check-ins between heatwave and matched non-heatwave periods in 2024. We then used geographically weighted regression to examine spatial heterogeneity in the associations between CLA and the built environment. The results showed that CLA was negative overall, indicating a citywide decline in leisure activity during heatwaves. Leisure activity increased in the western periphery, decreased in the central urban area, and remained relatively stable in the eastern periphery. Population density and cultural facility density were negatively associated with CLA, whereas building density, road density, and land use mix were positively associated with CLA in selected areas. Tourist attraction density showed the strongest spatial heterogeneity: its association was positive in the western periphery but negative in the central and eastern areas. These findings support place-specific planning for climate-adaptive leisure spaces and spatially differentiated heatwave adaptation.