How to determine city hierarchies and spatial structure of a megaregion?

Megaregion has emerged as a global urban form, typically based on the polycentric strategy to enhance regional development. How measure megaregional spatial structure and discriminate different roles of cities become increasingly important enrich knowledge formation megaregion. Meanwhile, various indices have been used identify vital nodes in field complex network. Which indices, however, are suitable for megaregion analysis remain unsolved. To address this requirement, study first reviewed typical identifying network theory, pointed out that weighted city scenario, degree centrality, hub & authority score, S-core decomposition (which represent connectivity, structures, respectively) analyzing structures. Then, we explored hierarchies Guangdong Province, China, using three indices. The hierarchical Province had identified decomposition. From perspective structure, Guangzhou Shenzhen strongest node degrees strength mobility flows, while Guangzhou-Dongguan-Shenzhen corridor via score which is designed evaluate connectivity Moreover, conducted comparison findings not only understanding megaregion, but also highlight although available, they should be applied selectively accordance with context.