Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Population in Shanghai: A Case Study Based on Cell Phone Signaling Data

Abstract

The analysis of spatial and temporal dynamic distribution of population is an important basis for recognizing people’s behavior patterns and urban spatial structure, allocating urban public infrastructures, and making emergency plans of public safety. Due to the lack of data on spatial and temporal dynamic distribution of population, research related to this area is limited in China. As cell phone becomes the most popular communication terminal, the spatial and temporal distribution of cell phone users should be able to reflect that of population accurately. Using datasets of cell phone signaling records and related data of Shanghai like land use, this study attempts to build an analytical framework on internal relations among population, time, and behavior, to recognize characteristics of spatial and temporal dynamic distribution of population in Shanghai. The results show as follows: (1) the density of population appears to be monocentric distribution, and this characteristic is more significant during the day compared to that at night. The spatial distribution experiences the central aggregation process during daytime and the decentralization to suburban area during nighttime. (2) People’s behaviors (like commuting, leisure, and consumption) could cause the spatial and temporal distribution of population change. The spatial mismatch between residences and workplaces as well as the high dependence on the central area result in unevenly distribution of population and form the central aggregating pattern. (3) The dependence level of consumption and leisure on central area is significantly higher than that of employment, especially in the suburban areas adjacent to the central area.