Research on Urban Vitality Changes in the Short Period of Time Before and After the Outbreak of the Epidemic—Taking Zhengzhou as an Example

The socioeconomic growth of China and local urban vitality have both been significantly impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19. It is of great significance to scientifically evaluate the changes of urban vitality in the Short Period of Time before and after the Outbreak of the Epidemic. Taking Zhengzhou City as an example, this study selected the epidemic period in May 2022, based on traffic big data and traffic simulation data, and applied the AHP-entropy weight method, gray relational TOPSIS method, time series method, spatial analysis method, visual analysis method, gravity model, standard deviation ellipse, multiple linear regression model and other methods. The daily characteristics, stage characteristics and temporal and spatial patterns of urban vitality affected by COVID-19 in Zhengzhou were revealed at multiple scales. The results are as follows: The change of urban vitality in the short term of the epidemic outbreak is basically in line with the change model of urban vitality. Erqi District has the greatest impact on the change of urban vitality, which is the center of gravity of urban vitality change. Among the means of transportation, pedestrians, nonmotor vehicles, taxis, private cars, and buses all had a positive correlation effect on the change of urban vitality in Zhengzhou, with nonmotor vehicles contributing the most. Trucks had a negative correlation with the change of urban vitality. The results of this study indicated that traffic data had good application prospects in the real-time evaluation and analysis of major health emergencies.