Measuring urban space of flows in information era: Empirical evidence from Nanjing, China

Abstract

In the information era, the comprehension of space of flows has turned from elemental flows into a combination of technologies, activities and physical spaces with the perspective of a new mobility paradigm. However, how to measure space of flows is still an under-established issue in scholarly discussion. This paper aims to explore the evaluation methods of spatial mobility considering technological accessibility, intensity of activity and spatial activeness. By using residential activity dairies, the present Nanjing traffic system and land use, the spatial mobility of Nanjing was evaluated. The measurement results suggest the extent to which the space of flows affects the space of places, which is critical for understanding urban spatial reconstruction in the information era.