What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to develop an optimization framework that uses recreational networks to address mismatches in the supply and demand of recreational services.

May 25, 2026Open Access

Utilizing the network to optimize the mismatch between supply and demand of recreational services: a case study of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Key Points

The aim is to develop an optimization framework that uses recreational networks to address mismatches in the supply and demand of recreational services.
Developed a framework identifying recreational supply and demand sources based on mapped service patterns.
Constructed recreational networks and overlaid them with deficit patterns to extract deficit-optimized corridors.
Delineated various types of connectivity corridors and identified substantial recreational sources.
Recreational service supply and demand showed a significant imbalance with deficit, balance, and surplus zones at 8.50%, 12.10%, and 79.40%, respectively.
Identified 426 recreational supply sources and 63 demand sources, revealing varied distribution across cities.
Delineated 1199 connectivity corridors and 402 orientation corridors, with 1579 DOCs covering 72.42% of deficit areas.

Abstract

The spatial mismatch between urban ecological spaces and residential areas, combined with rapidly increasing demand for nature-based recreation, has intensified the mismatch between the supply and demand of recreational services. Existing studies often optimize resource allocation based on the static spatial pattern of recreational supply–demand matching, while largely overlook the potential of recreational networks to improve recreational service supply–demand relationships. Taking the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area as a case study, this research develops an optimization framework that leverages recreational networks to alleviate supply–demand mismatches in recreational services. The framework identifies recreational supply and demand sources based on mapped service supply and deficits, constructs a recreational network, and overlays it with deficit patterns to extract deficit-optimized corridors (DOCs). The results show that: (1) Recreational services reflect a significant imbalance in the spatial distribution of supply and demand, with deficit, balance, and surplus zones accounting for 8.50%, 12.10%, and 79.40% of the area; (2) A total of 426 recreational supply sources and 63 recreational demand sources were identified, with considerable variation in distribution patterns among cities; (3) We delineated 1199 recreational connectivity corridors and 402 recreational orientation corridors, showing a radial distribution with dense and short corridors in central areas and longer corridors in peripheral zones, demonstrating strong network connectivity; (4) In total, 1579 DOCs were identified, spanning 1895.04 km and covering 72.42% of the supply-demand deficit area. This proposed framework enhances the spatial continuity and stability of recreational services provision and provides theoretical and practical support for urban spatial planning and refined management.

Read Full Paperexternally

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper