Application of the Inter-locking Network Model to Mega-City Regions: Measuring Polycentricity within and beyond City-regions

Abstract

The interlocking network model, devised to study worldwide inter-city relations, is adapted in this research to measure relations between cities within and beyond polycentric urban regions. The network makers are advanced producer service firms and their office networks are used to estimate positions of cities in networks. Eight mega-city regions (MCRs) in North West Europe are studied (Central Belgium, Dublin region, Northern Switzerland, Paris Region, Randstad, RhineRuhr, Rhine-Main, South East England) for which data are collected covering nearly 2000 office networks across 200 cities.