Multidimensional Analysis of Urban Vitality Centers Using Multi-source Data: A Case Study of Changchun, China

As a core city in the old industrial base of Northeast China, Changchun urgently needs to identify the core hubs and structural deficiencies of its urban vitality center system. This is essential for addressing spatial imbalance, enhancing urban efficiency, and revitalizing demographic vitality in a period of urban transition. By integrating multi-source data with social network analysis (SNA), this study examines the spatial structure and network characteristics of urban vitality centers in the central urban area of Changchun in 2024. The results reveal three main findings. First, 67 vitality centers were identified and organized into a three-tier hierarchical system composed of core-level, sub-core-level, and node-level centers. Core-level centers are mainly dominated by commercial and consumption functions, whereas sub-core-level and node-level centers perform more differentiated and complementary service roles. Second, the spatial pattern of vitality exhibits strong central agglomeration and clear directional expansion. High-vitality areas are concentrated in the historical urban core, while secondary centers extend along major development corridors, forming a clear contrast between central concentration and peripheral weakness. Third, the vitality center network is characterized by low density but relatively high connectedness and efficiency. A limited number of core nodes dominate resource transmission, while peripheral nodes participate only weakly in the overall network. Blockmodel analysis further shows that cross-block linkages are more significant than intra-block cohesion, although weak internal cohesion in key intermediary blocks constrains the overall transmission efficiency of the network. Based on the integrated perspective of structure, function, and space, this study proposes hierarchical coordination, core-area quality enhancement, and peripheral service supplementation as key pathways for optimizing Changchun’s vitality center network and promoting more balanced and resilient urban development in old industrial cities undergoing transition.