Commute duration, out-of-home discretionary activities and social inclusion as a multifaceted experience: Evidence from Beijing

The current study seeks to contribute to the understanding of the importance of commute duration in shaping social inclusion at the individual level. Focusing on Beijing, China, a series of analyses has been carried out to probe the inter-relationships among commute duration, discretionary activities, and perceived social inclusion as a multifaceted experience. Empirical findings indicate that prolonged commutes can directly and indirectly compromise one’s social inclusion experience due to both their isolating effect and the constraints exerted on out-of-home discretionary activities. The probability and time use of discretionary activity participation also exert varied impacts on the different dimensions of social inclusion. Particularly, more time spent on recreational and physical activities is associated with enhanced social support and a stronger sense of belonging, respectively. These findings suggest the importance of planning strategies that strive for local job-housing balance. Moreover, it is recommended that higher priorities be placed on certain public facilities (e.g. recreational and sports facilities) in establishing X-minute communities. Making better use of micro public space and promoting transit accessibility should also be considered in urban policies aimed at increasing social inclusiveness.