Speaker
Description
The concept of “equalization of basic public services” has gained increasing attention in China, alongside the public's growing aspirations for a better life. However, significant challenges remain in addressing imbalances and inadequacies in public service, particularly in terms of regional, urban-rural, and demographic disparities(Xu et al., 2022). Aligning public service distribution with demographics is crucial for achieving equity. While several studies have analyzed the spatial distribution of basic public facilities such as green spaces(Yang et al., 2022), hospitals(Gao et al., 2021), and elderly care facilities(Liu et al., 2024), research on public cultural facilities is limited. As globalization progresses, cultural resources are crucial for preserving local identity. Cultural equity has emerged as a key indicator of social development, demanding urgent attention to the rights of vulnerable groups in terms of cultural access(Fan and Hou, 2021).
This study addresses the gap in the literature by analyzing the spatial distribution of public cultural facilities in Wenzhou, focusing on equity in distribution, service availability, and supply-demand alignment. Kernel density analysis, service coverage calculations, 2SFCA (Gaussian-based Two-Step Floating Catchment Area) model, Pearson correlation, Spatial Autocorrelation analysis, and Spatial Lag Regression Model are used to explore disparities in facility access among floating populations, youth, and the elderly. The findings reveal imbalances in distribution, with central urban areas having better facility coverage than surrounding and mountainous regions. Facility distribution correlates with demographic characteristics: regions with higher concentrations of floating populations and youth generally have more facilities, while areas with larger elderly populations have fewer. Furthermore, facility accessibility is generally poor, with no clear correlation with demographic characteristics, showing a random spatial distribution. In terms of supply-demand alignment, only one sub-district meets high demand and supply. Key contributing factors to these inequities include Wenzhou’s historical development patterns, inadequate facility sizing, and the neglect of elderly populations in planning. The paper proposes three optimization strategies: (1) enhancing facility accessibility by integrating them with other public services, (2) offering targeted cultural services in areas with high demand and low supply to address demographic-specific needs, and (3) leveraging facility locational advantages to engage the floating population and promote their integration into local communities.
This study highlights the significance of equalizing public cultural services to promote social harmony and stability. It emphasizes that the allocation of public cultural facilities should be aligned with population growth patterns and demographic characteristics.
References
Fan, Z., Hou, X. (2021). Connotations and Paths of the High-quality Development of Public Cultural Services during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period. Library Tribune, 41(10),pp.14-19.(In Chinese)
Gao, F., Jaffrelot, M., & Deguen, S. (2021). Measuring hospital spatial accessibility using the enhanced two-step floating catchment area method to assess the impact of spatial accessibility to hospital and non-hospital care on the length of hospital stay. BMC health services research, 21, pp.1-12.
Liu, J., Lai, Z., Meng, B., Guo, Z., & Liu, X. (2024). Assessing spatial configuration of barrier-free facilities from the perspective of age-friendliness: A case Study of Beijing, China. Applied Geography, 172, pp.103426.
Xu, R., Yue, W., Wei, F., Yang, G., Chen, Y., & Pan, K. (2022). Inequality of public facilities between urban and rural areas and its driving factors in ten cities of China. Scientific Reports, 12(1), pp.13244.
Yang, W., Yang, R., & Zhou, S. (2022). The spatial heterogeneity of urban green space inequity from a perspective of the vulnerable: A case study of Guangzhou, China. Cities, 130, pp.103855.
| Keywords | Public cultural facilities;Spatial layout;Population characteristics;Social equity;Floating population |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
