GIS-Based Social Spatial Behavior Studies: A Case Study in Nanjing University Utilizing Mobile Data

Advancements in mobile information and communications technology (ICT) enable researchers to collect large amounts of time–space activity data through mobile apps installed in users’ ICT devices. These devices, such as smartphones, have become an almost inseparable part of people’s daily lives. Besides the physical and economic elements, the activity space of people has recently attracted considerable attention from geographers. This study collects a dataset comprised of one week’s worth of time–space activities of 19 students who study and live at Xianlin Campus, Nanjing University with the aid of a mobile app. The data can help depict the students’ real-time activity space (RAS) in the campus and evaluate how the campus space is utilized by these students in reality. We then present suggestions on how to maximize the available space in the campus by comparing their RAS and function zoning in the campus planning which regulates the utilization of campus space.

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