Urban Network and Regions in China: An Analysis of Daily Migration with Complex Networks Model

This paper analyzed urban network and regions in China using a complex network model. Data of daily migration among 348 prefectural-level cities from the Baidu Map location-based service (LBS) Open Platform were used to calculate urban network metrics and to delineate boundaries of urban regions. Results show that urban network in China displays an obvious hierarchy in terms of attracting and distributing population and controlling regional interaction. Regional integration has become increasingly prominent, as administrative boundaries and natural barriers no longer have strong impacts on urban connections. Overall, 18 urban regions were identified according to urban connectivity, and the degree of urban connection is higher among cities in the same urban region. Due to geographical proximity and close interaction, several provincial capital cities form an urban region with cities from neighboring provinces instead of those from the same province. Identification of urban region boundaries is of significant importance for sustainable development and policymaking on the demarcation of urban economic zones, urban agglomerations, and future adjustment of provincial administrative boundaries in China.