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Network Analysis of ‘Urban Systems’: Potential, Challenges, and Pitfalls
Author(s) -
Derudder Ben
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.766
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1467-9663
pISSN - 0040-747X
DOI - 10.1111/tesg.12392
Subject(s) - network analysis , network science , computer science , abstraction , data science , key (lock) , organizational network analysis , social network analysis , management science , focus (optics) , network theory , risk analysis (engineering) , operations research , complex network , epistemology , computer security , knowledge management , business , engineering , world wide web , organizational learning , philosophy , physics , statistics , mathematics , optics , social media , electrical engineering
This paper critically reviews the urban systems literature adopting graph‐theoretical conceptions of 'network analysis'. A network‐analytical approach allows specifying and measuring how cities interact, the importance and roles of cities in these interactions, and some of the key characteristics of the urban system as a whole. Throughout the paper, the focus is on ‘world city network’ research. After an overview of how network analysis first entered this literature and subsequently developed into a vibrant research agenda, the paper clarifies the use of network analysis by comparing two different network approaches. This is then used to discuss the potential and challenges/pitfalls associated with the use of network analysis, respectively. It is argued that the combination of careful abstraction and the methodological opportunities offered by network analysis offers geographers a powerful methodological toolkit. At the same time, a permanent appraisal of the real versus the alleged potential of network analysis is needed.