How Networks Shape the Spatial Structure of the Less Developed Areas? －A Case Study of South-CentralYunnan, China

Abstract—Since networking has become a recent trend across the globe, scientifically measuring the characters of the network structure is the main task of the regional study. The existing literature is concentrated more on developed areas, while less on the formation of the urban networking characters in less developed areas. Taking the south-central Yunnan in China as an example, this paper analyzed the extent and features of the connection among cities and towns within the region. The regional network was developed through passenger flow, express logistics and capital flow data, and analyzed by the Social Network Analysis (SNA) method. The result shows that the spatial structure of the south-central Yunnan emerges to a low-degree networking. There are several key nodes surrounding the core – Kunming. Their gathering and interaction foster several town clusters and the north-south corridor. The conclusion is that the network makes the regional structure more open and efficient, so that the resources can be well configured in the region. However, the backward geographical environment and infrastructure are still important factors restricting the evolution of the urban structure in less developed areas. We suggest that the coordinated development of undeveloped areas should be promoted through more investment in infrastructure, clustering the local industries, creating regional dialogue organizations, and facilitating cross-border trade.