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  • Jul. 14, 2025

Arid Land Geography ›› 2025, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (6): 1043-1054.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2024.408

• Population and Urban Studies • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Analysis of accessibility and influencing factors of kindergarten enrollment in the main urban area of Lanzhou City

GUO Nianfa1(), WANG Lucang1,2()   

  1. 1. School of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Resource Environment and Sustainable Development of Oasis, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, China
  • Received:2024-07-04 Revised:2024-11-21 Online:2025-06-25 Published:2025-06-18
  • Contact: WANG Lucang E-mail:17339833206@163.com;wanglc007@nwnu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Accurately quantifying the accessibility of kindergarten education is essential for evaluating the spatial allocation efficiency of resources, particularly in underrepresented areas of the education system. This study focuses on the main urban area of Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, China, utilizing data on kindergarten points of interest, school-age children, available places, and road grades. Using kernel density analysis and a multi-level-multi-travel mode Gaussian accessibility algorithm, we examine the agglomeration characteristics and accessibility of kindergartens at various levels. We also employ a spatial regression model and bivariate spatial autocorrelation to investigate the factors affecting accessibility distribution. The findings reveal that: (1) Kindergartens are distributed in “one core” and “four center” patterns, with density decreasing from east to west. Notably, densely populated areas in Xigu District are independently clustered. The classifications of provincial-level, municipal-level, district-level standard kindergartens, and general kindergartens predominantly exhibit the spatial distribution characteristics of a “single core”. (2) The accessibility of all kindergartens displays a spatial bias trending eastward, and “south-to-north”, and high accessibility areas are concentrated in Chengguan District and Qilihe District. The accessibility of kindergartens, based on their grades and quality, shows a “multi-center” structure, with general kindergartens reflecting the highest accessibility values, indicating their significant role in serving local enrollment. (3) Factors such as school-age population, family economic status, and kindergarten enrollment quotas influence school accessibility. By contrast, road network density and bus stop availability negatively affect accessibility, although this correlation is not significant. Kindergarten education fees also have a negative effect on accessibility.

Key words: kindergarten, spatial distribution, accessibility to enrollment, influencing factors, the main urban area of Lanzhou City