Gender Gaps in the Use of Urban Space in Seoul: Analyzing Spatial Patterns of Temporary Populations Using Mobile Phone Data

Areum Jo,Jaecheol Kim,Sang-Kyeong Lee

doi:10.3390/su12166481

Abstract

This study aims to examine the gender gaps in the use of urban space in Seoul, Korea, to provide empirical evidence for urban planning for gender equality. We analyzed daily temporary populations that were estimated using mobile phone data. We used the total, women’s, and men’s temporary populations as well as the subtraction of the temporary population of men from that of women (SMW) as dependent variables. We first conducted a visual analysis on temporary population density using kernel density estimation and then conducted a further analysis using spatial autocorrelation indicators and spatial regression models. The results demonstrate that: (1) Temporary population patterns for women and men showed similarities in that both were larger in business areas than in residential areas, which means that a large number of women were engaged in economic activities like men; (2) the pattern for SMW showed the opposite, that is, women were more active in residential areas and areas where neighborhood retail shops, cultural facilities, parks, and department stores were easily accessible; and (3) both women’s temporary population and SMW had spatial autocorrelation and thus showed clustering patterns that can be helpful in urban planning for gender equality in Korea.

Highlights

This study examined gender gaps in the use of urban space in Seoul, Korea, to provide empirical evidence for urban planning for gender equality by studying the temporary population estimated using mobile phone data
Results of Spatial Regression Analysis From the results of the spatial autocorrelation analysis previously conducted, we confirmed that temporaFrryompothpeulraetsiuolntssohfatdhespspaatitaiallaauuttooccoorrrreellaattiioonn.aTnhaleyrseifsoprere, vthioeutswlyocsopnadtuiaclterdeg, wreesscioonnfimrmoeddeltshatht at cantecmonpsoirdaerry sppoaptuialal taiuontoschoardreslpataitoianl,atuhteoScoLrMrelaantidonS.ETMhe,rwefeorree,utsheedtwfoorstphaetiaanlarelygsriess.sion models that canApcopnlysiidnegrOspLaStitaol athuetofcoourrretelamtipono,rathrye SpLoMpualantdioSnEsM, w, we feorue nudsetdhafotrththeesatantaislytisciss.of the Lagrange Multiplier (LM) test were all significant, and the introduction of the spatial regression model is valid
We examined gender gaps in the use of urban space in Seoul, Korea to provide empirical evidence for urban planning for gender equality

Summary

Introduction

This study examined gender gaps in the use of urban space in Seoul, Korea, to provide empirical evidence for urban planning for gender equality by studying the temporary population estimated using mobile phone data. Establishing the right relationship between men and women is essential for human sustainability [2]. The International Labor Organization (ILO) declared gender equality “as a matter of human rights, social justice, and sustainable development” [3] Gender issues continue to be discussed in most fields, including labor, education, health, and politics. The Global Gender Gap Report, which was first published by the World Economic Forum, evaluates countries in four categories: Economic participation and opportunity, educational attachment, health and survival, and political empowerment [4]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion