Detect Megaregional Communities Using Network Science Analytics

Urban science research and the on megaregions share a common interest in system of cities its implications for world urbanization sustainability. The two lines inquiry currently remain largely separate efforts. This study aims to bridge urban megaregion by applying network science’s community detection algorithm explore spatial pattern contiguous United States. A file was constructed consisting county centroids as nodes, direct links between each pair counties edges, inter-county commuting flows weight capture interactions. Analyses were carried out at levels, one national level using Gephi other State Texas involving NetworkX, an open-source Python programming package implement weighted algorithm. Results show detected communities conforming qualitative knowledge megaregions. Despite number limitations, indicates great potential analytics improve understanding process