The Spatiotemporal Pattern Characteristics and Driving Mechanism of Recreational Services Supply and Demand in the Yangtze River Delta

Recreational services (RS) play a significant role in promoting the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature and enhancing public mental health. This study systematically examined the spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics and coupling relationships between the supply and demand of RS in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region from 2010 to 2020. By integrating multi-source data—including land use, big data, and fundamental geographic information—a quantitative indicator system for the potential supply and demand of RS was constructed, and the Geo-detector method was employed to identify key driving factors. The results indicate that: (1) During the study period, spatial mismatches existed between the supply and demand of RS in the YRD, though the overall imbalance tended to decrease; (2) Both high-supply and high-demand areas exhibited significant spatial clustering, with high-supply areas primarily located in the southern part and high-demand areas concentrated in the eastern part, leading to extensive supply deficits in the eastern YRD due to spatial misalignment; and (3) The supply and demand of RS are jointly driven by natural and social factors, with tourism economic activity and urban spatial expansion being the key influencing factors. Based on these findings, we propose that regional differentiated strategies, spatial planning coordination, and data-driven governance should be adopted to enhance the supply–demand balance of RS in the YRD and promote synergistic socio-ecological development.