Mapping Heritage Engagement in Historic Centres Through Social Media Insights and Accessibility Analysis

Abstract

Accessibility to cultural heritage is crucial for fostering inclusive urban environments and preserving historical and cultural identities. This study addresses the gap between heritage conservation and urban accessibility with two objectives: (1) to identify tangible and intangible cultural heritage elements based on user preferences from the social media platform Foursquare, and (2) to assess the impact of accessibility on public engagement using Space Syntax analysis. The historic centres of Valencia and Alicante, Spain, were chosen as case studies for their rich cultural heritage and dynamic urban contexts. A novel urban cultural heritage (UCH) taxonomy was developed to categorise heritage elements into buildings, public spaces, elements, and events/festivities. Findings indicated that social media data offer valuable insights that complement official heritage catalogues, providing a richer understanding of cultural assets and public engagement. The results showed that higher public engagement was concentrated (1) in and around key heritage sites, (2) in heritage sites that combine cultural significance with multifunctional public use, (3) in public spaces and urban nodes that are highly accessible and well connected to the urban structure, (4) in areas where clusters of heritage elements are located close together, and (5) around sites of architectural prominence and cultural significance. This emphasised that accessibility is as important as historical significance for attracting public interest. The study suggested that improving accessibility and integrating social media data with traditional methods can enhance heritage conservation strategies and support sustainable urban development by fostering stronger identity values within cities.

1. Introduction

Urban heritage encompasses the rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and social elements embedded within the fabric of cities, including architectural landmarks, archaeological sites, intangible cultural practices, and public spaces [1,2]. Analysing urban heritage is crucial for understanding the historical context of urban development, informing conservation efforts, and guiding urban planning to foster inclusive and sustainable environments [3,4]. The protection of cultural heritage sites is essential for preserving the character and integrity of historic urban landscapes, ensuring that both tangible and intangible heritage elements are integrated with the contemporary urban fabric [5]. As urbanisation continues to reshape cities worldwide, the need to preserve and integrate cultural heritage into contemporary urban life becomes increasingly important [6,7].

Despite the recognised importance of cultural heritage preservation, current strategies often fail to effectively integrate user preferences and urban accessibility into heritage conservation efforts [8]. This highlights two relevant gaps: a need for new approaches that account for how people interact with and value heritage sites in their everyday lives, and the limits of the effectiveness of these strategies in fostering public engagement and ensuring equitable access to heritage resources [9].

This study addresses these gaps with two primary objectives: first, to identify cultural heritage elements based on user preferences from social media data (Foursquare) and evaluate their alignment with officially recognised heritage sites, and second, to assess the impact of urban accessibility on public engagement with cultural heritage sites using Space Syntax analysis. The first objective captures both tangible and intangible cultural heritage elements through user-generated data, revealing discrepancies and consistencies with municipal heritage catalogues. The second objective examines how spatial integration and connectivity within the urban fabric influence the popularity and use of heritage sites, providing insights for enhancing urban planning and heritage conservation strategies.

To achieve these objectives, the study focuses on two case study cities in the central Spanish Mediterranean Arc: Valencia and Alicante, and, more specifically, their historic districts. These cities offer diverse contexts for exploring the relationship between heritage sites, accessibility, and public engagement.

By leveraging contemporary data sources, such as Foursquare, this research seeks to complement traditional municipal heritage catalogues, providing a more nuanced understanding of public interactions with heritage sites. The findings contribute to sustainable urban planning and heritage conservation by highlighting the importance of accessibility and user preferences in heritage management.

The paper is structured as follows. It begins with a literature review on the concepts of urban heritage, accessibility, and contemporary analytical methods, such as GIS, Space Syntax, and social media data. This is followed by briefly describing the case study of Alicante and Valencia. Then, the Sources and Method Section outlines the data collection and analytical framework used to assess the relationship between accessibility and public engagement with heritage sites. The Results Section presents findings on the spatial distribution, accessibility, and public interaction with heritage sites, which are further discussed in the Discussion and Conclusion Section to provide recommendations for urban planning and heritage conservation.

2. Literature Review

As our research adopted new methods for approaching cultural heritage engagement based on social media data and urban accessibility analysis, the literature review focuses on three aspects related to urban heritage, such as new methods of analysis, the role of social media in its perception and diagnosis, and its relationship with urban accessibility. The following section delves into the diverse methods employed in the analysis of urban heritage, highlighting both traditional and contemporary approaches.

2.1. Methods of Analysis of Urban Heritage

In recent years, diverse methodologies have emerged for analysing urban heritage, each offering unique insights and contributing to a comprehensive understanding of heritage in contemporary urban contexts. These methods range from traditional approaches to advanced technological applications, all aiming to preserve, interpret, and integrate cultural heritage within urban planning and development. Traditional methods of urban heritage analysis have long provided invaluable insights into the historical significance and architectural characteristics of heritage sites. Historical documentation, architectural surveys, and archaeological excavations form the cornerstone of these conventional approaches, offering detailed records and reconstructions of the past. These methods enable researchers to trace the evolution of urban areas and appreciate the cultural narratives that shape them.

Recent research, though, revealed that the predominant research methods for defining or analysing urban heritage are primarily qualitative, followed by quantitative methods [10]. The review also identified theoretical, experimental, and mixed methods as significant, though less commonly employed, approaches. For instance, Collazo [11] employed qualitative methods to study mobility in the historic areas of Aguascalientes, focusing on the loss of heritage architecture. Through surveys and multiple correspondence analysis, the study explored visitor origins, visiting times, education levels, transportation means, and site usage patterns, revealing perceptions of mobility and emphasising the need for preservation ethics and sustainable transportation solutions.

Similarly, Wang et al. [12] explored the integration of educational heritage and tourism in Nanjing, China, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, such as historical data collection, on-site surveys, and GIS analysis, to examine spatial and temporal trends. Tamaratika et al. [13] developed strategies for the Gajah Mada Denpasar Heritage Area based on visitor satisfaction using a descriptive quantitative method and analysing data from literature, observations, interviews, and questionnaires.

However, in recent years, advancements in technology and data science have revolutionised the field of urban heritage analysis. Modern techniques, such as geographic information systems (GIS), Space Syntax analysis, and social media data analysis, provide innovative tools to explore the spatial dynamics and public engagement with heritage sites. These approaches facilitate a deeper understanding of how urban morphology influences accessibility and the ways in which people interact with their cultural environment, which are the primary focus of this study. This diversity in methodologies demonstrates the multifaceted nature of urban heritage research and the importance of employing various analytical lenses to fully grasp the complexity of cultural heritage within urban environments.

2.2. Urban Heritage Through the Lens of Social Media

The use of social media data to analyse urban heritage has gained significant traction in recent years, providing new insights into how people engage with and perceive heritage sites [14]. For instance, various social media platforms, such as Foursquare, Twitter (now X), and Instagram, have demonstrated their potential to capture public interactions and sentiments related to cultural heritage [15,16]. These interactive platforms emphasise the connection between heritage and memory, fostering a sense of community through shared experiences [17].

In this regard, social media data have been employed to analyse cultural heritage in diverse ways. One prominent use is as a tool for participation and collective memory, where digital platforms invite users to actively engage with content and other users [18]. This engagement has led to grassroots heritage practices, such as sharing historical photos on social networking sites [19], documenting local music cultures [20], and storytelling about neighbourhoods [21]. These practices enable users to participate in constructing local heritage narratives, often challenging mainstream discourses [14,22] and raising awareness of underrepresented heritage experiences [23].

Social media constitute a potential tool for addressing urban and landscape heritage from participatory approaches. For example, Tenzer [24] applied a participatory approach called social landscape characterisation, using Twitter data to integrate personal and community knowledge into planning, showing how landscapes shape identity and attachment. Ginzarly and Teller [25] examined how Facebook groups interpreted heritage, while Jeffrey et al. [26] showed how community-driven heritage records, using 3D technology, can challenge and enrich heritage sites. Wang et al. [27] analysed social media branding of World Heritage Sites in Beijing, highlighting the role of user content and media in brand engagement. Finally, Bai et al. [28] used artificial intelligence to map public perceptions of urban heritage in Rome through Flickr data, offering an inclusive approach to heritage management in line with UNESCO’s recommendations.

These studies collectively illustrate the efficacy of social media data in urban heritage research. They highlight how platforms such as Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, Instagram, or Foursquare can be leveraged to gain insights into public engagement, spatial dynamics, and the cultural significance of heritage sites. Ultimately, integrating these data with traditional methods offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and managing urban heritage in contemporary contexts. Specifically, our research implemented Foursquare geospatial data to address the popularity and social engagement of certain heritage-related venues.

2.3. Accessibility and Perception of Urban Heritage

Physical and perceptual accessibility are fundamental for appreciating cultural heritage [29]. According to Deffner et al. [30], engagement with cultural heritage depends on both physical and perceptual urban accessibility, which is crucial, as it ensures that all individuals, regardless of physical ability or social background, can experience and appreciate heritage sites. Accessible urban environments make it easier for people to physically visit, explore, and interact with historical landmarks, museums, and cultural events, fostering a deeper connection with both tangible and intangible heritage elements, especially in historic districts [31].

In these urban areas, ensuring good accessibility to public spaces and heritage sites also has a positive impact on urban vibrancy and vitality [32], supporting the preservation and continuity of cultural heritage by making it an integral, living part of everyday urban life [33]. Thus, if accessibility is not achieved, engagement with urban heritage becomes limited, making it difficult for both locals and tourists to fully experience and connect with the cultural significance of a place [34].

This research supports the idea that urban accessibility largely contributes to how heritage elements are experienced by people, influencing their connection to these sites and enhancing their overall engagement.

3. Case Study

This study focuses on two cities within the Valencian community—Alicante and Valencia—both located in the central area of the Spanish Mediterranean Arc (SMA) along Spain’s central eastern coast. The SMA region, where the case study cities are located, holds considerable national significance, accounting for 50.6% of Spain’s population and 56.6% of its tourism activity [35]. This concentration highlights the region’s pivotal role in Spain’s economic and cultural landscape.

Valencia and Alicante, as key urban centres within the SMA’s central area, have witnessed rapid urban growth characterised by expanding residential areas, economic activities, and infrastructure [36]. Valencia, with a population of 807,693 inhabitants, and Alicante, with 349,282 inhabitants, represent significant urban hubs within this dynamic context [37]. Both cities possess a rich cultural heritage, including historic buildings, monuments, and intangible cultural practices, positioning them as pivotal centres for both heritage conservation and tourism development. Similar to many Spanish cities, since the 1990s their historic centres have undergone a touristification process, where the presence of visitors at monuments, museums, or urban areas of highly historic interest has notably increased [38], leading to the displacement of local residents and the development of diverse citizen initiatives, especially in Valencia [39]. Moreover, in recent years, Valencia and Alicante’s touristified historic districts have experienced an exponential growth and concentration of Airbnb listings, resulting in the transformation of these central neighbourhoods, where housing has been converted into tourist accommodation [40]. In this context, tourism pressure has contributed to the homogenisation of historic districts [41], blurring their social and cultural potentialities in favour of attracting more visitors.

These two cities were not selected for direct comparison but to test the proposed method in two geographical contexts and city sizes that share similar characteristics, such as their coastal locations and strong focus on urban tourism.

4. Sources and Method

This study utilised two distinct types of data sources: cartographic information, which represents the physical layout and heritage elements of the cities, and social media data, which capture user-generated traces of economic and urban activities.

The cartographic data included land and use information from the Land Cover and Use Information System of Spain (SIOSE) database [42], and street network data from OpenStreetMap (OSM) [43]. While the SIOSE database is an official source, OSM offers a rich, globally consistent dataset contributed by users in an open, collaborative geographic information system.

The municipal heritage protection catalogue maps, obtained from the official city hall website, were used to identify and map existing protected heritage elements for both cities [44,45].

Additionally, the study incorporated user-generated social media data from Foursquare. Foursquare is a web-based platform where users can register their visits to different venues, including establishments and points of interest, via check-in [46]. Foursquare compiles all the information about a specific venue in its database, including the number of unique visitors (users), and visits (check-ins), as well as a main category that defines the type of activity. Foursquare establishes a 10-category taxonomy, including “arts and entertainment”, “outdoors and recreation”, “shop and services”, etc. Aligning with previous research, this study adopted the number of visitors (users) as a proxy for citizen preferences and popularity of places [47].

Based on the aims of the study, land use information from SIOSE was used in the delimitation of historic districts, Foursquare registers were used to identify cultural heritage elements based on users’ preferences, the municipal heritage protection catalogue maps were used to evaluate Foursquare’s alignment with officially recognised heritage sites, and the street network was implemented in the Space Syntax analysis in order to assess the impact of urban accessibility on public engagement with cultural heritage sites.

The proposed methodological process comprised the following phases (Figure 1): (Section 4.1) delimitation of historic centre areas, (Section 4.2) data collection, validation, and filtering, (Section 4.3) identification of urban cultural heritage (UCH) using the official catalogues and Foursquare data, (Section 4.4) categorisation of UCH using a novel taxonomic framework, (Section 4.5) accessibility analysis employing Space Syntax, and finally, (Section 4.6) characterisation of accessibility to urban cultural heritage elements.

4.1. Delimitation of Historic Centre Areas

In order to obtain and analyse the information related to the historical districts of Valencia and Alicante, the boundaries of the historic centres for both case study cities were delimited using a geographic information system, specifically QGIS. In line with previous research [47,48], the delimitation process was based on data from the Land Cover and Use Information System of Spain (SIOSE), which is part of National Plan for Territory Observation (PNOT) [42]. The SIOSE database integrates land use data from all Autonomous Communities in Spain to create a unified classification system.

This system categorises land use into four levels based on specific characteristics. Level 4 classifications provide detailed information, including farmland, natural areas, and artificial surfaces, and incorporate designations such as “casco urbano histórico” (historic urban area). The latter was used for defining the spatial limits of the case study’s historical centres.

In Valencia, certain urban facilities—such as cultural, administrative, religious, and commercial sites—inside or near the historic urban area were also included within the SIOSE’s historic centre’s boundaries (Figure 2). In contrast, for Alicante, these facilities were not identified within SIOSE’s database, leading to discrepancies between the maps. However, since this study used this source exclusively for the spatial delimitation of the city centre, these differences in the visualisation of urban facilities did not compromise the results. Then, the final delimitation of the historic centres included all the buildings and blocks that were categorised as “casco urbano histórico” and other buildings that, despite corresponding to other land uses, were located within the same historic urban pattern.

4.2. Data Collection and Validation

Foursquare data within the historic centre limits were retrieved through a self-developed software program—SMUA [49]—via its API (Application Programming Interface) on 16 April 2023, right before the change in Foursquare’s category taxonomy [50]. The data were provided in csv format (comma-separated values), containing details for each venue, such as geographical coordinates, name, number of visits (check-ins), number of visitors (users), user statistics, ratings, tips, categories, subcategories, venue URL, and venue ID.

Following the retrieval of venues, the Foursquare datasets underwent verification, cleaning, sorting, and exploratory visualisation. This process involved manually reviewing the data to remove duplicate entries, e.g., venues with the same place name, coordinates, and physical address, and ensuring the accuracy of urban activity locations. Approximately 20% of Foursquare venues required repositioning due to initial geotagging errors. Once verified, the datasets were visualised again using QGIS (version 3.28.8) for further spatial analysis.

4.3. Identification of Urban Cultural Heritage

In order to evaluate Foursquare’s alignment with officially recognised heritage sites, the elements included in the official protection catalogues were mapped, and the Foursquare datasets were overlaid. Foursquare data were organised into ten primary categories, each containing multiple subcategories [16]. With the purpose of identifying cultural heritage elements based on users’ preferences and their popularity, all venues within these subcategories were reviewed, and additional tears were created for improving the granularity of the information and for selecting venues related to urban cultural heritage (UCH). Specifically, two criteria were adopted for this selection: first, venues under subcategories directly relevant to heritage or likely to contain heritage elements (e.g., those venues whose subcategory included elements that were listed in the official municipality heritage catalogues), as illustrated in Figure 3, and second, a manual review and validation process was undertaken, during which each venue’s name was individually examined to determine whether it qualified as UCH (e.g., venues within the “public art” subcategory).

4.4. Categorisation of Urban Cultural Heritage

With the aim of facilitating the comparison between Foursquare heritage-related venues and the municipal heritage elements included in the protection catalogues, once the list of identified elements was obtained through the filtering process, these elements were reclassified into four categories, including (1) buildings, (2) elements, (3) public spaces, and (4) events/festivities.

Figure 3 illustrates the categorisation process, with a flow diagram showing the relationship between Foursquare categories (category label), subcategories, and urban heritage categories, as well as the quantification of Foursquare venues that fell into each category after the identification and categorisation processes. The diagram was divided into four columns: the first column represented the data source (Foursquare), the second displayed Foursquare’s standard category labels remaining after filtering and validation (“art and entertainment”, “college and university”, “outdoors and recreation”, “professional and other places”, “residence”, and “travel and transport”), the third showed the subcategories selected for urban cultural heritage (UCH), and the fourth column represented the urban heritage categories. The flow diagram was created using RAWGraphs, an open-source data visualisation tool.

4.5. Accessibility Analysis

Before assessing the impact of urban accessibility on public engagement with cultural heritage sites, Space Syntax analysis was performed to analyse the degree of accessibility to UCH elements previously identified and categorised in Foursquare. Space Syntax is a theoretical framework and analytical method used to study spatial configurations, examining how the arrangement and connectivity of spaces influence human behaviour, perceptions, social interactions, and urban dynamics [51,52]. When implemented in GIS software, it helps in analysing urban layouts and networks, such as streets, pathways, and public spaces, to assess how accessible different locations are. This study analysed accessibility to UCH using the Space Syntax toolkit in QGIS [53]. For the analysis, a road network layer is needed. Specifically, this study implemented the road network data from OpenStreetMap (OSM).

One of the key metrics derived from Space Syntax that can be analysed with the toolkit is the integration. The integration measures how easily a space can be accessed from all other spaces in the network. Higher integration values indicate spaces that are more centrally located or easily accessible, while lower values suggest more isolated or peripheral areas. In this research, integration was calculated for assessing the accessibility of different heritage elements in relation to their location within the historic centre.

The Space Syntax results consisted of the original road network but with an associated accessibility value (integration) in each segment (street, path, and public space). Each segment was interpolated at 10 m intervals—thus, segments were converted to points—and a square reference grid (25 × 25 m) was overlaid to calculate the average accessibility value based on the points within each cell. The use of a 25 m threshold distance for cell size was considered appropriate, as it has proven useful for examining urban phenomena at small scales, e.g., the neighbourhood level [54], and in accessibility research [55]. The cells were visualised with a colour gradient, ranging from blue (least accessible) to red (most accessible). It should be noted that the Space Syntax analysis was conducted to the overall municipal delimitation; however, only the case study areas are shown in the figures included in the Results Section.

4.6. Characterisation of Accessibility to Urban Cultural Heritage Elements

Finally, to assess the impact of urban accessibility on public engagement with the UCH venues identified from Foursquare data, the following steps were undertaken:

Firstly, the top 25 venues from each case study, identified by the highest number of registered users on Foursquare, were selected, as these are considered the most socially relevant venues [56]. The reason for considering only the 25 UCH venues with the most registered users was to focus the analysis on the most popular and actively engaged sites, which are likely to have the greatest impact on urban cultural heritage dynamics, thus ensuring a more targeted analysis. This approach also helps to determine whether accessibility influences a venue’s success, as the most frequented sites are expected to be more accessible.

Secondly, once these venues were identified, Foursquare data were adjusted for mapping accuracy. For venues categorised as buildings, the geolocated point was repositioned to the main entrance of the building. For venues categorised as elements and events/festivities, the exact location was verified. For venues categorised as public spaces—such as plazas—the geolocated point was converted to a polygon, marking the access to the space, to which the venue values were assigned. These adjustments improved the alignment between Space Syntax values and Foursquare data, resulting in a more accurate analysis.

Thirdly, in order to compare the alignment of Foursquare data with the accessibility analysis, not only qualitatively and spatially, but also statistically, the number of users that had checked-in their visit in all heritage elements located in the historic centre was compared with the different integration (accessibility) values. With that purpose, Foursquare venues were overlaid to the square reference grid, quantifying the number of users in each cell. The different integration (accessibility) values per cell were then divided into five ranges according to their quintile (i.e., the values per cell were listed from the minimum to the maximum and grouped in five ranges with an equal number of values/cells), and the total number of users per range was summed up and compared with a percentage in relation to the total number of users.

Moreover, a local spatial autocorrelation (hotspot analysis) was conducted by calculating the Getis-Ord $G_i^{*}$ statistic. This statistical method detects hotspots (areas with densely clustered high values) and cold spots (areas with densely clustered low values) by examining each feature in relation to its neighbouring features [57]. The Getis-Ord $G_i^{*}$ statistic is given as:

$$G_i^{*}={\displaystyle \frac{\sum _{j=1}^n{w}_{i,j}{x}_j-\overline{X}\sum _{j=1}^n{w}_{i,j}}{S\sqrt{\frac{\left[n\sum _{j=1}^n{w}_{i,j}^2-{\left(\sum _{j=1}^n{w}_{i,j}\right)}^2\right]}{n-1}}}}$$

where $x_j$ is the attribute value for feature $j$, $w_{i,j}$ is the spatial weight between feature $i$ and $j$, and $n$ is equal to the total number of features. In this study, GeoDa (a spatial-method-based software for analysing spatial data [58]) was implemented for applying the statistic to the reference grid based on the number of users, obtaining a z-score and a p-value for each cell. While the z-score indicates where cells with high or low numbers of users are clustered spatially, the p-value indicates the statistical significance. Thus, to be a statistically significant hotspot, a cell must have a high value and be surrounded by other cells with high values. After the analysis, cells were classified into three categories according to their z-score: high, low, and non-significant. The resulting hotspots and cold spots were spatially compared with the integration (accessibility) values.

The objective of these processes was to verify if users had checked-in most of their visits at those heritage elements located in the areas with better accessibility. Once these procedures were carried out, the accessibility of the UCH venues was analysed, and the findings were documented.

5. Results

The findings of this study demonstrated a significant relationship between accessibility, urban configuration, and public engagement with heritage sites in Alicante and Valencia. By integrating Foursquare user data with municipal protection catalogues (Figure 4 and Figure 5), the analysis provided insights into how the public interacts with these sites and potential factors influencing their popularity.

The results are explained in terms of the distribution and engagement with heritage sites, the proposed categorisation of heritage elements, the role of public spaces and urban nodes, the impact of accessibility on engagement, and the influence of architectural prominence and cultural significance.

In terms of the distribution and engagement with heritage sites, the analysis of Foursquare data revealed that user engagement was concentrated in or around key heritage sites in both cities. Sites such as Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Alicante and Mercat Central in Valencia were identified as major activity hubs, attracting the highest number of users. This high level of engagement highlights the importance of these sites as cultural and social landmarks. Cross-referencing Foursquare data with municipal protection catalogues confirmed that several of these high-traffic sites, such as Plaza de Gabriel Miró and Concatedral de San Nicolás in Alicante, and Plaza de la Reina and Catedral de Valencia in Valencia, are officially recognised heritage elements. However, the study also found discrepancies: not all Foursquare-identified urban cultural heritage (UCH) venues were listed in the official catalogues, and vice versa. While Foursquare effectively captured intangible heritage elements, such as locations for events and festivities, the official catalogues included sites of historical importance that did not necessarily attract high levels of public interest.

As for the proposed categorisation of heritage elements, the identified heritage elements were categorised into four main types: buildings, elements, public spaces, and events/festivities. The data showed that buildings and public spaces garnered the most user engagement. Notable examples included Plaza del Ayuntamiento and Plaza del Carmen as highly visited public spaces in Alicante, and Mercat Central and Catedral de Valencia in Valencia as major attractions. This suggests a preference for heritage sites that combine cultural significance with multifunctional public use.

Connected to the previous finding, public spaces and urban nodes emerged as critical elements in fostering engagement with heritage sites. Plazas, such as Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Alicante and Plaza de la Virgen in Valencia, serve as central hubs for social, cultural, and economic activities. These multifunctional spaces are well integrated into the city’s street network, making them easily accessible and highly visible. Their centrality and multifunctionality enhance their role as gathering points and cultural hubs, which was reflected in the high levels of user activity recorded in these areas.

The Space Syntax accessibility analysis highlighted a strong correlation between accessibility and public engagement. The analysis showed that heritage sites located in areas with high integration values, such as Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Alicante and Plaza de la Virgen in Valencia, tended to attract more visitors. This suggests that sites well connected within the urban grid, with direct connections and fewer barriers, are more frequently visited.

Furthermore, the relationship between accessibility and urban conditions was evidenced, where a greater number of heritage elements converged in areas with higher accessibility values. The maps (Figure 6 and Figure 7) indicated that sites with the highest user engagement, such as Mercat Central and Plaza del Mercado in Valencia, coincided with areas marked by darker shades on the Space Syntax maps, indicating higher accessibility scores. This finding suggests that enhancing connectivity and ensuring open access to these sites could further promote their use and appreciation.

The results also demonstrated the impact of architectural prominence and cultural significance on public engagement. Iconic buildings, such as Llotja de la Seda and Torre del Micalet in Valencia, and Basilica de Santa Maria and Concatedral de San Nicolás in Alicante, attract substantial user interest due to their historical importance and visual dominance. Their architectural quality, strategic placement, and visibility within the urban landscape contribute to their success as heritage sites. Urban policies should focus on preserving these attributes while ensuring their surroundings remain accessible and conducive to high levels of public interaction.

Comparing the number of users that checked-in their visits in venues located in the historic centre with the different integration (accessibility) values (

Table 1. Number of users that checked-in their visit at heritage elements located in areas with different integration (accessibility). The case of Valencia.

Valencia
Quintile	Integration Range (Accessibility)	Number of Users	Percentage of Users
Q1	940–1100	6368	8%
Q2	1100–1200	5205	6%
Q3	1200–1270	12,121	15%
Q4	1270–1400	21,938	26%
Q5	1400–1700	37,222	45%
Total		82,854	100%

and

Table 2. Number of users that checked-in their visit at heritage elements located in areas with different integration (accessibility). The case of Alicante.

Alicante
Quintile	Integration Range (Accessibility)	Number of Users	Percentage of Users
Q1	3400–3900	247	5%
Q2	3900–4000	696	14%
Q3	4000–4200	984	19%
Q4	4200–4300	1057	21%
Q5	4300–4500	2084	41%
Total		5068	100%

), it was noteworthy that between 60 and 70% of the users had visited heritage elements that were located in those areas with the highest integration values (Q4 and Q5), i.e., the most accessible and well-connected areas. Moreover, the percentage of users decreased steadily as the integration values became lower, which means that those heritage elements located in the less accessible and disconnected areas of the historic centre (Q1 and Q2) were less popular and did not receive as many visitors as the elements located in the most accessible areas (Q4 and Q5). These results support the idea that heritage elements located in accessible spots are more frequently visited, thus contributing to public engagement.

Likewise, by examining the resulting hotspots and cold spots from the statistical Getis-Ord $G_i^{*}$ analysis and comparing with the most accessible areas in both cities (Figure 8), two tendencies were identified: First, the hotspots (clusters of cells with high values of Foursquare users) were located both in public spaces and urban axes that were highly accessible and well connected to the urban structure, such as Portal de Elche and Plaza Abad Penalva in Alicante or Plaça de l’Ajuntament and Plaza del Carmen in Valencia, as well as in areas where groups of heritage elements were located close together, such as Plaza Santa María and Plaza Gabriel Miró in Alicante or Plaça del Mercat, Plaça del Col·legi del Patriarcat, and Plaza de la Virgen in Valencia. Second, cold spots (clusters of cells with low values of Foursquare users) were found in areas that were poorly accessible or disconnected from relevant urban nodes and axes, such as Ermita de Santa Cruz in Alicante, but also in public spaces where, despite having moderate integration (accessibility) values, none or only one urban cultural heritage element was located, such as Plaza del Doctor Balmis in Alicante or Plaça Joan de Vila-rasa in Valencia. These findings support previous results addressing the strong correlation between accessibility and public engagement and the importance of converging multiple heritage-related spots to promote cultural and social gathering nodes in historic districts.

6. Discussion and Conclusions

The findings of this study revealed a strong relationship between the structural layout of cities, accessibility, and public engagement with heritage sites in Alicante and Valencia. By integrating Foursquare user data with official municipal heritage catalogues, the analysis provided a clearer understanding of which sites attract the most visitors and potential factors that contribute to their popularity.

The results demonstrated that accessibility and urban form play critical roles in determining public engagement with heritage sites. The most popular sites, such as Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Alicante and Plaza de la Virgen in Valencia, are in areas with high accessibility scores and are well integrated within the city’s street network. This finding aligns with previous research that suggested spaces with better connectivity and fewer barriers are more likely to be visited by the public [51,59]. Furthermore, the study showed that areas with a higher concentration of heritage elements generally exhibited greater accessibility, indicating that public spaces where multiple heritage assets converge serve as important nodes for social, cultural, and economic activities [14,15]. These findings underscore the importance of preserving and enhancing such spaces, as they play a vital role in the cultural and social life of the city.

Regarding the relationship between the identified heritage-related venues and the heritage elements included in the municipal protection catalogues, while not all the official heritage elements are listed in Foursquare, most of the heritage-related venues correspond to places, buildings, or architectural elements that are protected according to the municipal catalogues. This correspondence is especially significant in those venues located in the most touristic or visited spots, such as Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Concatedral de San Nicolás, or Plaza Gabriel Miró in Alicante and Mercat Central, the Catedral, or Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Valencia, where historic buildings and their surroundings are not only the most popular venues, but also have a higher degree of protection. In contrast, less famous sites, not related to tourist activities but to the everyday life of local residents, have a lower degree of protection, are less popular according to the number of visitors, or are not even included in the Foursquare database. However, the research highlighted the potential of social media data, particularly from platforms such as Foursquare, to complement official heritage documentation. Foursquare data capture public preferences and provide insights into intangible heritage elements, such as locations for events and social gatherings, that may not be formally recognised in official records. This aligns with recent trends in heritage research that emphasise using digital tools to offer a more inclusive understanding of urban heritage [17,18].

The study also identified limitations in relying solely on social media data, such as inaccuracies in geolocation and inconsistencies in naming, which require careful manual verification. This finding reinforces the need for combining digital tools with local knowledge and traditional methods to ensure comprehensive and accurate heritage documentation [25].

The results of this study underscore (1) the need for addressing urban heritage from a social perspective, where cultural heritage elements based on user preferences, according to Foursquare, can complement and be aligned with officially recognised heritage sites, and (2) the impact of urban accessibility on public engagement and the popularity of cultural heritage sites or events. Moreover, due to the wide geographical reach of social media data, data from analogous platforms in other regions or countries can be implemented for assessing similar approaches, thus facilitating reproducible analyses in different urban contexts.

These findings suggested several important implications for urban policy and planning. Enhancing physical access to less integrated heritage sites could increase their visibility and encourage greater public engagement. Simple interventions, such as improved pedestrian pathways, better signage, and enhanced connections, could make these sites more accessible and widely used. Additionally, urban policies should prioritise the maintenance and enhancement of multifunctional public spaces, such as plazas, which serve as central hubs for community life and heritage conservation [24]. These spaces are not only historical landmarks but also vibrant areas where cultural, social, and economic interactions occur [48]. Ensuring these spaces remain central to urban planning can help foster a sense of community and belonging while supporting heritage preservation.

The discrepancies observed between the mapped heritage elements and official catalogues point to the need for a more standardised approach to heritage documentation. Inconsistencies in how some urban facilities are included within historic centre boundaries suggest that heritage records should be regularly updated and standardised. This would ensure comprehensive coverage of all culturally significant sites, particularly those actively used and valued by the public [27,28].

Overall, the study concluded that the most popular heritage sites are those that are well connected, accessible, and multifunctional, meeting diverse social, cultural, and economic needs. To maximise the benefits of cultural heritage, urban policies should focus on improving connectivity and accessibility, leveraging community insights from social media, and adopting inclusive strategies that recognise both tangible and intangible heritage elements. By enhancing the accessibility of heritage sites, acknowledging the community’s role in defining cultural value, and ensuring that public spaces remain central to community life, cities can create vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments that honour both historical heritage and contemporary needs. By emphasising these strategies, urban planners and policymakers can promote more balanced engagement across different areas of the city, ensuring that heritage conservation and a socially sustainable urban development are mutually reinforcing goals.