Geospatial Network Analysis of US Megaregions in 40 Years

Abstract

This paper proposes a network analysis framework based on geographic information systems (GIS) to study the development of megaregions in support of urban planning and policy making. The framework includes a new approach to modeling geo-shaped polygon data of cesus places as the Place Geo-Adjacency Network (PGAN). In particular, the integration of descriptive network analysis and degree distribution analysis supports the study of spatial connections, geospatial growth, hub effects, and expansion patterns in megaregions. To demonstrate this framework, a case study was conducted on four US megaregions to study their growth and expansion in the last 40 years since 1980. The degree distribution analysis captures the small-world property and quantifies the level of geospatial connectivity influenced by the hub effects. Policymakers can use the model as a decision support for urban planning and policy design to reduce disparities and improve connectivity in megaregion areas.