Virtual network analysis of Wuhan 1+8 City Circle based on Sina microblog user relations

Abstract

Background: In this study, we clustered a large number of microblog users into city nodes based on the interpersonal relations and geographic location attributes of these users and clustered the user relations within each city into the relations among cities in the Wuhan "1+8" City Circle (WCC) to transform and map the interpersonal network in the virtual network environment to an intercity network. Methods: Based on this mapping, we analysed the characteristics proposed two evaluation indicators-degree of city cohesion and degree of city outreach-to quantify the relations within a city and the relations among different cities. The WCC urban network was analysed from a social network perspective, and the differences and similarities in a city's status between the virtual network and the real world were explored. Results: As the "1" in the "1 + 8" WCC, Wuhan's decisive dominance in WCC was discussed from multiple perspectives to show the centre point of the circle and the monopoly status of Wuhan in WCC. This finding is consistent with the status of Wuhan in the actual geographic space as the political, economic and cultural centre of Hubei Province. Our study indicated tiny communication among the other 8 cities along the periphery of WCC in the virtual microblogging network space, with the exception of Wuhan; they closely resembled eight independent individuals. Conclusions: The characteristics of the WCC intercity information exchange indicated that the concept of WCC did not stand out in the virtual microblogging network space and that these cities frequently exchanged information with cities outside WCC. And in WCC the degree of cohesion and outreach in a city node were significantly positively correlated with the economic development level of the city.

Big data and sustainable cities: applications of new and emerging forms of geospatial data in urban studies

“…Online social networks offer a new approach to exploring spatial inequalities in urban and regional development. Extracting a virtual socio-spatial network from a popular social media in China, Ying et al [14] analyze the intercity network situated in a region centered on Wuhan, named Wuhan "1 + 8" City Circle (WCC). Specifically, they propose and measure two indicators: degree of city cohesion and degree of city outreach, to quantify the relations within a city and the relations among different cities.…”