Effects of COVID-19 on temporal urban diversity : A quantitative study using mobile phone data as a proxy for human mobility patterns

Abstract: The present paper examines possible changes in temporal urban diversity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Stockholm and Uppsala metropolitan areas. In addition to general changes in diversity, potential differences of diversity levels at locations with varying socioeconomic characteristics are examined. The diversity levels are calculated based on mobile phone data and defined by the inflow and distribution of individuals to locations. The time frame involves eight study dates and extends from January to April 2020. The paper reaches the following conclusions. (1) Diversity levels display a general decline during the pandemic, with one exception - Easter Holidays. (2) Individuals residing in areas with high proportions of highly educated individuals or visible minorities experience a decrease in diversity whereas the opposite is true for areas with high proportions of low-income earners or senior citizens (3) The increase in diversity in the two last mentioned areas, which are located in remote parts of the metropolitan area, coincide with decreasing levels of diversity in the central parts of the metropolitan area. It is possible that changes in diversity levels in these areas can be explained by changes in general behavioural trends, e.g. incentives to avoid crowded city center areas.