The Spatial Structure and Driving Mechanisms of Multi-Source Networks in the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle of China

Abstract

The phenomenon of polarized development among regional cities has sparked extensive contemplation and indicated a need for research on multi-source regional networks. However, such research faces two obstacles: the absence of quantitative measurement of differences in network structures and the lack of a thorough examination of the degree of city clustering and the dynamics of community composition in hierarchical networks. Thus, we identified 16 cities in the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle (CCEC) as the spatial units to examine the spatial network structures of population, resources, and transportation and the integrated spatial network structure. Using social network analysis, this paper describes the structural characteristics of the three networks (population, resource, and transportation), followed by an analysis of their collective and hierarchical network clustering characteristics, and explores the driving mechanisms and factors that make up each network model. Our results show the following: (1) All three networks exhibit an “east dense, west sparse” characteristic, but there are differences in the layouts of the core cities in terms of the three networks. (2) The clustering characteristics of the hierarchical networks are more pronounced than those of the overall network. The results of the analysis combined with the network formation mechanisms can help effectively plan the future coordinated development of the CCEC.