Fangyuan is a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography. Her research interests lie in urban computing and spatial modelling, with a particular focus on the application of emerging multi-source data such as location-based social network (LBSN) data in urban studies.

Fangyuan received her MSc in Urban Informatics (with Distinction) from King’s, where she focused on spatial data science and computational methods in urban research. She also obtained a BSc in E-Business Management (with a focus on digital analytics) from Anhui University, graduating with First Class Honours.

Research

Thesis title: 'Spatiotemporal analysis and prediction of tourist flow using LBSN data and their potential impacts on the housing market'

Although tourism brings significant economic and cultural benefits, overtourism creates risks such as infrastructure strain, neighbourhood change, and housing pressures linked to short-term rentals. To better understand tourism in the urban context, it is crucial to examine how tourists move, where they go, and what consequences these flows create. Emerging forms of digital trace data now offer opportunities for more fine-grained and real-time analysis.

This research investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban tourism using LBSN data and their implications for housing and service demand. Drawing on multi-source datasets, it will use computational and spatial modelling to distinguish tourists from residents, analyse the drivers of flows, and forecast demand. The project aims to advance methods for mapping and predicting tourist mobility while providing evidence to support sustainable tourism management, housing governance, and urban planning.

PhD supervision

• Principal supervisor: Dr Zahratu Shabrina
• Secondary supervisor: Professor Philip Hubbard

Further details

See Fangyuan's research profile