Empirical Studies of World City Networks Abroad:Progress,Challenges and Directions for Future Research
Globalization,informatization and networking have not only promoted the rise of global cities and strengthened inter-city connections,but also reshaped the connotation,mode,and spatial scale of inter-city connections.The development potential and functions of contemporary cities largely depend on a city's"positionality"in various world/global city networks.Therefore,investigating World/Global City Networks(WCN)has important theoretical value and policy implication.This paper provides a review of the empirical studies of WCN abroad:(1)we first categorize existing studies into four strands,including the advanced producer services-based studies led by GaWC,the multinational enterprise and world city system theory-based studies,infrastructure-based studies,and the other connection-based studies;(2)then we identify the problems and challenges in methodology,content,objectives,and theoretical basis of relevant studies;(3)finally,we discuss directions for future research,including understanding the formation and process of city networks,enriching qualitative and in-depth case study methods,revealing the impact of WCN on urban spatial development,conducting more studies regarding"ordinary"cities,and examining the nature and formation of intercity power relations.
World City NetworkEmpirical ResearchGlobal/World CityInterlocking Network Model(INM)Social Network Analysis(SNA)
万方数据
维普
