Gender Differences in the Micro-Scale Distribution of Everyday
Commercial Functions:
Evidence from Taipingqiao, Beijing
Junyao Chen, Qiang Sheng
Abstract：Gender differences exert a measurable influence on urban space utilization, yet existing research predominantly
addresses gender spatial equity at macro levels, leaving the relationship between micro-scale urban functional
distribution and gender dynamics inadequately explored. This empirical study investigates Beijing’s Taipingqiao area
through the lens of space syntax theory, systematically analyzing how gender variations shape the spatial logic of two
gender-characteristic commercial typologies: tobacco/alcohol retail and beauty/personal care services. Key findings
reveal distinct spatial archetypes: tobacco/alcohol establishments follow an accessibility-driven “scattered-integrated”
pattern, while beauty services exhibit a “clustered-specialized” configuration. Behavioral analysis demonstrates
divergent spatial preferences—females show heightened affinity for open, safety-perceived environments, whereas
males display lower sensitivity to consumption milieu characteristics. The research provides evidence-based insights for
integrating gender perspectives into urban design paradigms, advancing the creation of equitable, inclusive, and highquality
urban spaces. Methodologically, it establishes a replicable framework for microscale gender-space interaction
analysis using axial integration and visibility graph metrics, contributing novel empirical data to the discourse on
gendered urbanism.
