Co-authors
Changlong Ling (Peking University), Xinyi Niu (Tongji University), Jiawen Yang (Peking University), Jiangping Zhou (The University of Hong Kong)

Research description
This pioneering research challenges conventional urban planning by revealing how commuting efficiency varies dramatically across different industry sectors. Using an unprecedented dataset of 11 million commuters in Shenzhen, the study demonstrates that traditional jobs-housing balance policies often fail because they overlook industry-specific needs. The findings have directly informed regional infrastructure planning in China's Greater Bay Area and been featured in UN-Habitat Global Urban Lectures. By providing a new framework for understanding commuting heterogeneity, this work enables planners to develop targeted, effective solutions for reducing commuting burdens.