Characteristics and Formation Mechanism of Youth’s Job-housing
Space from a Rational Choice Perspective:
A Case Study of Urban Village in Chengdu’s Rail Station Areas
Wei Zhao, Xianglan Cao, Shaofei Niu, Chaoshen Wang
Abstract：Urban villages in metro stations areas of megacities provide job-housing spaces for the youth, but their choice behavior,
spatial characteristics, and formation mechanisms remain unclear. Drawing on multi-source data including metro
OD card swipe data, Baidu Huiyan, the seventh national population census, and land use survey data, combined with
field observations and surveys, this study reveals the commuting behavior and job-housing spatial characteristics of
youth from diverse backgrounds in various types of urban villages. Based on the theory of rational choice, this paper
analyzes the formation mechanism of job-housing space, as shaped by factors such as the urban job-housing structure,
individual capital, and interest preference. The conclusions can provide insights for youth development-oriented urban
construction and inclusive urban village renewal planning.
