DOI: 10.11648/j.sr.20261404.14 ISSN: 2329-0927

A Social Network Analysis of Public Space Activities in Lingnan Villages: The Case of Xiaozhou Village

Wu Shuozhen
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With rapid urbanization and the continuing process of urban–rural integration, traditional villages in the Lingnan region are increasingly confronted with fragmented public spaces, declining spatial efficiency, and an imbalance between the daily needs of residents and the experiential demands of tourists. Taking Xiaozhou Village, a representative Lingnan water-town village in Guangzhou, as a case study, this paper applies social network analysis to examine the relationships between public spaces and public activities, as well as the differences in spatial use among different activity groups. Based on field investigation, questionnaire data, interviews, and spatial observation, three types of networks are constructed: the public space network, the resident activity network, and the tourist activity network. Through the comparison of network structure, node selection, route preference, and spatial use characteristics, the study reveals that the planned public space system and actual public activity patterns are not fully matched. The findings indicate that residents tend to rely more on daily-life, religious, and service-oriented spaces, while tourists show stronger dependence on accessible routes and sightseeing-related nodes. In response to the problems of weak connectivity, insufficient integration, and uneven spatial vitality, this paper proposes optimization strategies from the perspectives of network association, spatial integration, and continuity of experience. The study aims to support the shared use of public spaces by residents and tourists, and to provide theoretical and methodological references for the renewal and cultural preservation of Lingnan water-town villages.

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