Understanding interurban networks from a multiplexity perspective

Abstract Urban networks are typical multiplex networks with different forms of spatial interactions between cities, including spatial interactions among humans, material and information. It is important to systemically explore multiplex urban networks to understand the operation of complex urban systems and formulate policies for urban planning and regional development. However, studies investigating interurban networks from the multiplexity-based perspective are still in their infancy. Therefore, this study collects records from social media to construct a multiplex urban network with two layers that represent information flows and population mobility. The results of the topological properties analysis confirm that a high correlation exists between information resources and human capital, and there is a strong driving force from human capital to information flows. In addition, the joint effects of these two types of resources on urban development are analyzed, and the cross-layer resource clustering ability of cities is discussed. Several implications for urban economic development planning and orientation that could support macroscopic policy-making are provided.