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Measuring hierarchical differentiation: connectivity and dominance in the European urban network

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  • Nathalie Van Nuffel
  • Piet Saey
  • Ben Derudder
  • Lomme Devriendt
  • Frank Witlox

Abstract

This paper presents an examination of the empirical merits of a set of spatial interaction indices for measuring hierarchical differentiation (i.e. dominance and connectivity) in a spatial network. To allow for the comparison of the degree of hierarchical differentiation in networks with different numbers of nodes/links, we propose to normalize the ratio between the real measures and the corresponding values for a rank size distribution in order to obtain readily interpretable measures of hierarchical differentiation. When applied to data on air passenger flows within Europe, the normalized indices, interpreted together, appear to give a good idea of the tendency toward hierarchical differentiation. The potential usefulness of this analytical framework is discussed in the context of studies on (transnational) inter-city relations and empirical assessments of changes in the spatial configuration of airline networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathalie Van Nuffel & Piet Saey & Ben Derudder & Lomme Devriendt & Frank Witlox, 2010. "Measuring hierarchical differentiation: connectivity and dominance in the European urban network," Transportation Planning and Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(4), pages 343-366, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:transp:v:33:y:2010:i:4:p:343-366
    DOI: 10.1080/03081060.2010.494028
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Haoran & Dobruszkes, Frédéric & Wang, Jiaoe & Dijst, Martin & Witte, Patrick, 2018. "Comparing China's urban systems in high-speed railway and airline networks," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 233-244.
    2. Yang, Haoran & Du, Delin & Wang, Jiaoe & Wang, Xiaomeng & Zhang, Fan, 2023. "Reshaping China's urban networks and their determinants: High-speed rail vs. air networks," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 83-92.
    3. Weiyang Zhang & Ben Derudder, 2019. "How sensitive are measures of polycentricity to the choice of ‘centres’? A methodological and empirical exploration," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(16), pages 3339-3357, December.
    4. Haoran Yang & Martin Dijst & Patrick Witte & Hans van Ginkel & Jiao’e Wang, 2019. "Comparing passenger flow and time schedule data to analyse High-Speed Railways and urban networks in China," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(6), pages 1267-1287, May.

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