Spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three Northeastern provinces of China

IntroductionUrban human settlements' spatial network structures have emerged as crucial determinants impacting their health and sustainability. Understanding the influencing factors is pivotal for enhancing these settlements. This study focuses on 34 prefecture-level cities in Northeastern Chin...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rui Song, Xueming Li, Xinyu Hou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-09-01
Series:Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1206808/full
_version_ 1827822400369065984
author Rui Song
Rui Song
Rui Song
Xueming Li
Xueming Li
Xueming Li
Xinyu Hou
Xinyu Hou
Xinyu Hou
author_facet Rui Song
Rui Song
Rui Song
Xueming Li
Xueming Li
Xueming Li
Xinyu Hou
Xinyu Hou
Xinyu Hou
author_sort Rui Song
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionUrban human settlements' spatial network structures have emerged as crucial determinants impacting their health and sustainability. Understanding the influencing factors is pivotal for enhancing these settlements. This study focuses on 34 prefecture-level cities in Northeastern China from 2005 to 2020. It employs a modified gravitational model to establish spatial relationships among urban human settlements. Social network analysis techniques, including modularity and the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) regression model, are introduced to analyze the network's characteristics and driving factors.MethodsA modified gravitational model is applied to create the spatial association network of urban human settlements. Social network analysis tools, along with modularity and the QAP regression model, are utilized to investigate the network's attributes and influencing elements. The study evaluates the evolution of spatial correlation, network cohesion, hierarchy, and efficiency.ResultsThroughout the study period, spatial correlation among urban human settlements in Northeastern China progressively intensified. However, the network exhibited relatively low density (0.217675), implying limited interconnectivity among cities. The average network hierarchy was 0.178225, indicating the need for optimization, while the average network efficiency was 0.714025, reflecting fewer redundant relationships. The analysis reveals the emergence of a polycentric network pattern with core and sub-core cities like Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun, Daqing, and Harbin. The urban network configuration has largely stabilized. The spatial association network showcases the intertwining of "small groups" and community organizations. Geographic proximity and merit-based linkages govern feature flow. Measures such as breaking administrative barriers, reducing flow time and distance, boosting resident income, and increasing government investment are identified to foster balanced network development and structural optimization.DiscussionThe research underscores the increasing spatial correlation and evolving network pattern among urban human settlements in Northeastern China. Despite the observed strengthening correlation, challenges related to network cohesion and hierarchy persist. The formation of a polycentric network signifies positive progress in urban development. The study highlights the importance of proximity and merit-based connections for feature flow. The proposed measures offer pathways to enhance network development and optimize structure, promoting holistic urban settlement growth and sustainability.
first_indexed 2024-03-12T01:57:29Z
format Article
id doaj.art-b1cecb790e8e4bcca282329af516805e
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2296-701X
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-12T01:57:29Z
publishDate 2023-09-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
spelling doaj.art-b1cecb790e8e4bcca282329af516805e2023-09-07T22:10:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution2296-701X2023-09-011110.3389/fevo.2023.12068081206808Spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three Northeastern provinces of ChinaRui Song0Rui Song1Rui Song2Xueming Li3Xueming Li4Xueming Li5Xinyu Hou6Xinyu Hou7Xinyu Hou8School of Geography, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, ChinaCenter for Human Settlements, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, ChinaResearch Base of Urban Agglomeration in Central-South Liaoning of China Urban Agglomeration Research Base Alliance, Dalian, ChinaSchool of Geography, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, ChinaCenter for Human Settlements, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, ChinaResearch Base of Urban Agglomeration in Central-South Liaoning of China Urban Agglomeration Research Base Alliance, Dalian, ChinaSchool of Geography, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, ChinaCenter for Human Settlements, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, ChinaResearch Base of Urban Agglomeration in Central-South Liaoning of China Urban Agglomeration Research Base Alliance, Dalian, ChinaIntroductionUrban human settlements' spatial network structures have emerged as crucial determinants impacting their health and sustainability. Understanding the influencing factors is pivotal for enhancing these settlements. This study focuses on 34 prefecture-level cities in Northeastern China from 2005 to 2020. It employs a modified gravitational model to establish spatial relationships among urban human settlements. Social network analysis techniques, including modularity and the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) regression model, are introduced to analyze the network's characteristics and driving factors.MethodsA modified gravitational model is applied to create the spatial association network of urban human settlements. Social network analysis tools, along with modularity and the QAP regression model, are utilized to investigate the network's attributes and influencing elements. The study evaluates the evolution of spatial correlation, network cohesion, hierarchy, and efficiency.ResultsThroughout the study period, spatial correlation among urban human settlements in Northeastern China progressively intensified. However, the network exhibited relatively low density (0.217675), implying limited interconnectivity among cities. The average network hierarchy was 0.178225, indicating the need for optimization, while the average network efficiency was 0.714025, reflecting fewer redundant relationships. The analysis reveals the emergence of a polycentric network pattern with core and sub-core cities like Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun, Daqing, and Harbin. The urban network configuration has largely stabilized. The spatial association network showcases the intertwining of "small groups" and community organizations. Geographic proximity and merit-based linkages govern feature flow. Measures such as breaking administrative barriers, reducing flow time and distance, boosting resident income, and increasing government investment are identified to foster balanced network development and structural optimization.DiscussionThe research underscores the increasing spatial correlation and evolving network pattern among urban human settlements in Northeastern China. Despite the observed strengthening correlation, challenges related to network cohesion and hierarchy persist. The formation of a polycentric network signifies positive progress in urban development. The study highlights the importance of proximity and merit-based connections for feature flow. The proposed measures offer pathways to enhance network development and optimize structure, promoting holistic urban settlement growth and sustainability.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1206808/fullhuman settlementsspatially associative structureNortheastern Chinainfluencing factorsfeature flow
spellingShingle Rui Song
Rui Song
Rui Song
Xueming Li
Xueming Li
Xueming Li
Xinyu Hou
Xinyu Hou
Xinyu Hou
Spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three Northeastern provinces of China
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
human settlements
spatially associative structure
Northeastern China
influencing factors
feature flow
title Spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three Northeastern provinces of China
title_full Spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three Northeastern provinces of China
title_fullStr Spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three Northeastern provinces of China
title_full_unstemmed Spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three Northeastern provinces of China
title_short Spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three Northeastern provinces of China
title_sort spatial network structure and driving factors of human settlements in three northeastern provinces of china
topic human settlements
spatially associative structure
Northeastern China
influencing factors
feature flow
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1206808/full
work_keys_str_mv AT ruisong spatialnetworkstructureanddrivingfactorsofhumansettlementsinthreenortheasternprovincesofchina
AT ruisong spatialnetworkstructureanddrivingfactorsofhumansettlementsinthreenortheasternprovincesofchina
AT ruisong spatialnetworkstructureanddrivingfactorsofhumansettlementsinthreenortheasternprovincesofchina
AT xuemingli spatialnetworkstructureanddrivingfactorsofhumansettlementsinthreenortheasternprovincesofchina
AT xuemingli spatialnetworkstructureanddrivingfactorsofhumansettlementsinthreenortheasternprovincesofchina
AT xuemingli spatialnetworkstructureanddrivingfactorsofhumansettlementsinthreenortheasternprovincesofchina
AT xinyuhou spatialnetworkstructureanddrivingfactorsofhumansettlementsinthreenortheasternprovincesofchina
AT xinyuhou spatialnetworkstructureanddrivingfactorsofhumansettlementsinthreenortheasternprovincesofchina
AT xinyuhou spatialnetworkstructureanddrivingfactorsofhumansettlementsinthreenortheasternprovincesofchina