Vivid London: Assessing the resilience of urban vibrancy during the COVID-19 pandemic using social media data

Abstract

Since COVID-19, the focus on urban resilience has intensified, particularly on cities' ability to adapt and recover while maintaining essential functions and liveability; however, few studies have examined the resilience of urban vibrancy during such health crises. This study investigates urban vibrancy resilience in Inner London during the COVID-19 pandemic using multi-sourced social media data (geo-tagged Twitter and Flickr). We propose an analytical framework based on space-time permutation scan statistics (STPSS) to identify spatiotemporal urban areas of interest (ST-AOIs), examining their spatial, temporal, and contextual characteristics. Our findings show that central neighbourhoods with transport hubs, educational and healthcare facilities, eateries, and financial centres exhibit greater resilience. These areas adapt by shifting active periods in response to disruptions. Additionally, we assess the varying resilience capacities of different types of points of interest. This research provides actionable insights for urban planners and policymakers by demonstrating how identifying characteristics of robust urban vibrancy can contribute to the resilience of cities and communities, particularly under normal conditions after COVID-19. The findings offer concrete strategies for integrating social media data into urban planning processes, enabling more responsive and adaptive governance that meets the dynamic needs of urban populations.