Unravelling retail diversity through its spatial relationship with social vulnerability and tourism pressures in Barcelona

Abstract

Diversity in retail and facilities is essential for creating proximity environments. Most analyses have focused on either built environment predictors or the balance between diversity and social vulnerability and tourism, but little is known of their interrelationship. Using georeferenced data of retail and facilities in Barcelona (Spain), the study shows that diversity is positively associated with compact and dense environments, but negatively related to social vulnerability and tourist accommodation. Five clusters were studied based on retail diversity, urban vulnerability, and tourist intensity. Some areas may be endangered by the overrepresentation of specific activities. These insights can inform activity diversification policies.