Spatial Correlation Network of Water Use in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration, China

The increasingly severe water crisis is restricting sustainable development of the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA), highlighting importance collaborative resources management. Based on dataset from 26 cities between 2001 and 2020 in YRDUA, this study applies Social Network Analysis to research spatial correlation urban utilization, which helps identify interaction use behaviors among different cities. Results show that close relationships consumption YRDUA have formed a network, there no isolated city network. During period, network affinity density showed an overall upward trend, meaning number actual connections was increasing. However, hierarchy first decreased then raised, efficiency increased decreased, indicating structural evolution gradually detrimental effective dissemination information. also shows core-peripheral structure. Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou, Hangzhou higher coreness centralities, dominating controlling major information spillover channels. Therefore, it essential focus overflow effects management regions, optimize structure exploit core cities’ radiation effects, realize for regional resources.