Spatial Coordination Analysis and Development Methods of the Catering Sector in Yongkang City

The catering sector is recognized as a crucial driver for stimulating domestic consumption and fostering sustained economic growth. A scientifically informed spatial planning of the catering sector in county-level cities can help mitigate the overconcentration or excessive dispersal of resources, thereby enhancing the efficiency of land and commercial resource utilization, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable development within a county’s economy. This study focuses on Yongkang City, located in central Zhejiang Province, as a case study. Using Python 3.1 software to extract point-of-interest (POI) data, spatial analysis techniques such as standard deviation ellipses and kernel density estimation are employed to elucidate the spatial distribution characteristics of the catering sector, comprehensive transportation, and public services in Yongkang City. Furthermore, a coupling coordination degree model is utilized to quantify the coupling coordination degrees between the catering sector and comprehensive transportation (D1), as well as between the catering sector and public services (D2), ultimately assessing the overall coupling coordination degree among the three sectors (D3). Based on the analysis results, the coupling coordination degrees are categorized into five levels, followed by a detailed evaluation of the catering sector’s development across different subdistricts. The findings indicate a certain degree of spatial imbalance in the distribution of the catering sector in Yongkang City, with the western region exhibiting a more favorable development trajectory. Notably, Dongcheng Subdistrict achieved the highest coupling coordination degree (0.993), while the northern region, hindered by underdeveloped economic conditions and limited transportation infrastructure, exhibited the lowest coordination degree (0.098). Considering the unique developmental characteristics and current conditions of each subdistrict, this study advocates for the formulation of a long-term sustainable development plan for the catering sector in Yongkang City. The findings of this research may offer valuable insights for other regions and countries, thereby promoting the sustainable advancement of the catering sector.