Intra-urban consumption flows and sociospatial disparities: An analysis based on bank card transaction data

Abstract

This study analyses intra-urban consumption flows in Madrid through a spatial analysis using over 689 million anonymized bank card transactions recorded in 2023. By disaggregating data by age and income groups, the research uncovers significant variations in consumer mobility patterns and spatial preferences. Older adults and high-income groups exhibit more localized consumption behaviors, while middle-income groups demonstrate wider mobility across the city. High-income populations concentrate their activity in affluent areas, whereas central districts emerge as common ground with higher levels of social interaction. The study applies network and centrality analysis to identify functional commercial areas and their degree of connectivity, revealing strong links between sociodemographic structure and urban spatial dynamics. Results underscore the relevance of integrating consumption-related mobility into urban planning frameworks to address spatial segregation and promote social mix. The research contributes to a growing body of work leveraging Big Data to understand complex urban behaviors at a granular scale.