Identification of the Spatial Structure of Urban Polycentres Based on the Dual Perspective of Population Distribution and Population Mobility

The accelerated growth of urban areas has resulted in substantial alterations to the spatial structure of these settlements. The accurate identification of the multi-centre spatial structure is a fundamental prerequisite for the assessment of urban spatial development and the optimisation of urban space. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify the multi-centre spatial structure of cities through a novel approach of data fusion based on night-time lighting data, LandScan data, and population heat data. Furthermore, this study compared the differential effects of population distribution and population mobility in identifying urban spatial structures. The empirical research results for Zhengzhou City demonstrate that the accuracy of using LandScan data fusion to identify multi-centre spatial structures was 0.7463, while the accuracy of using night-time light data fusion to identify urban spatial structures through population mobility reached 0.8235. This suggests that, in the context of increasing population mobility and economic activity, the integration of population mobility data may have a significant impact on the accuracy of urban spatial research. Moreover, this study places a dual focus on population distribution and population mobility and a new method of data integration for urban spatial research. These are of considerable practical value in facilitating spatial optimisation and the coordinated development of cities.