Gender Gaps in the Use of Urban Space in Seoul: Analyzing Spatial Patterns of Temporary Populations Using Mobile Phone Data

This study aims to examine the gender gaps in the use of urban space in Seoul, Korea, to provide empirical evidence for urban planning for gender equality. We analyzed daily temporary populations that were estimated using mobile phone data. We used the total, women’s, and men’s temporary populations as well as the subtraction of the temporary population of men from that of women (SMW) as dependent variables. We first conducted a visual analysis on temporary population density using kernel density estimation and then conducted a further analysis using spatial autocorrelation indicators and spatial regression models. The results demonstrate that: (1) Temporary population patterns for women and men showed similarities in that both were larger in business areas than in residential areas, which means that a large number of women were engaged in economic activities like men; (2) the pattern for SMW showed the opposite, that is, women were more active in residential areas and areas where neighborhood retail shops, cultural facilities, parks, and department stores were easily accessible; and (3) both women’s temporary population and SMW had spatial autocorrelation and thus showed clustering patterns that can be helpful in urban planning for gender equality in Korea.