Dimensions and Spatial Differentiation of Resident–Tourist Conflict in Urban Tourism Communities: Evidence from Chongqing, China

Urban tourism communities activate local resources through spaces shared by residents and tourists, yet the inherent spatial overlap and functional complexity of these areas often generate conflicts. Existing research has predominantly focused on traditional scenic areas, heritage sites, or cities affected by overtourism, with comparatively little attention to urban tourism communities. This study draws on three tourism communities in Chongqing, China, employing street-intercept interviews and spatial analysis to investigate the forms and spatial characteristics of resident–tourist conflict. The findings indicate that such conflicts manifest across four dimensions: management conflict, economic conflict, resource and environmental conflict, and socio-cultural conflict. Conflicts are more likely to occur in areas where tourist activities intersect with residents’ daily routines, and different conflict types exhibit distinct spatial patterns. Furthermore, residents are more sensitive to these conflicts than tourists. By adopting a dual resident–tourist perspective, this study advances understanding of the tensions in high-density, high-mobility urban tourism communities and provides empirical insights to inform their sustainable development.