A Sentiment and Semantic Network Analysis-based Study on the Factors Influencing the "Sense of Urban Happiness" : —With a Focus on Hangzhou

Abstract

This study takes Hangzhou, which has won the title of "China’s Happiest City" for 16 consecutive years, as an example based on the comment data on the sense of urban happiness sourced from mainstream social media platforms. The sentiment tendency, topics in comments, and their correlations among social media users’ comments on "happiness in Hangzhou" are studied using the sentiment analysis, high-frequency keywords, and semantic network analysis methods. According to the results of this study, Hangzhou’s ecological environment, digital economy, digital public services, cultural resources, and civilized transportation have positive influences on people’s sense of happiness, whereas high housing and commodity prices, income inequality, and stress from overtime work have negative influences on the sense of urban happiness. Based on the foregoing research results, this study proposes relevant suggestions for the construction of happy cities.