Spatial Accessibility
2023-7-30
Spatial Distribution and Accessibility Evaluation of National Water Parks in China
This paper analyzed the spatial distribution and accessibility of China's National Water Parks using kernel density maps, standard deviation ellipses, an improved 2SFCA method, and ESDA hot spot analysis to inform equitable planning strategies.
Abstract:
A water park is a nature-based site along a river or water management project that plays a vital role in protecting the local ecological system and providing water recreation, making it an essential component of China’s ecological and ecotourism security strategy. This study sought to portray the distribution of China’s 878 National Water Parks (NWPs) and to visualize the pattern of accessibility for NWP resources by the gravity-2SFCA method. The investigation produced the following findings: (1) The national-scale pattern of ecotourism and water recreation can be revealed by the distribution of NWPs, which were concentrated on the eastern side of the “Hu Line” but were dispersed on the western side. (2) NWPs can function as detectors of various endowment and management modes of basin-scaled water resources through the relationship between different categories of NWPs and their locations, which can provide guidance for regional planners. (3) The accessibility of NWPs is an effective indicator for revealing spatial disparity between the supply of NWP resources and the population distribution. Then, the general NWP development strategy can be made based on a hot-spot visualization analysis of accessibility patterns.
Summary:
- Studied spatial distribution and accessibility of 878 National Water Parks (NWPs) in China
- NWPs clustered east of Hu Line but dispersed west; aligns with water resources and population patterns
- Used standard deviation ellipses to show NWP distribution follows watershed shape and river trends
- Built road network between NWPs and cities to assess connectivity
- Used improved 2SFCA method to calculate and map NWP accessibility scores for each city
- Found spatial mismatch between NWP supply and population demand drives accessibility patterns
- Used ESDA to identify significant hot and cold spots of high and low access
- Discussed implications for addressing inequities through targeted NWP planning strategies
Study questions and answers:
| Study Questions | Sample Answers |
|---|---|
| How many NWPs were studied? | 878 NWPs in China. |
| What methods visualized NWP distribution? | Kernel density maps and standard deviation ellipses. |
| How was NWP-city connectivity assessed? | By building a road network and measuring travel times. |
| What method calculated accessibility scores? | An improved 2SFCA method using distance decay. |
| What caused the mismatch with NWP supply? | Population distribution differences east and west. |
| How were geographic inequities identified? | Using ESDA to find hot and cold spots of access. |
DOI: 10.3390/su151511621