Network Structure Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Urban Agglomerations in China under Impact of COVID-19

In the context of COVID-19, the efforts undertaken for epidemic control have imposed limitations on the multifaceted development of China. This manuscript utilizes Baidu migration data from 2019 to 2023 to classify the current developmental status of urban agglomerations (UAs) in China. The explication of network structure is achieved through the computation of metrics that capture network structural connectivity and hierarchical attributes. Additionally, an inquiry into the spatio-temporal differentiation of the UAs’ network structure is carried out, encompassing three phases: before COVID-19, the normalization stage of COVID-19, and after COVID-19. Furthermore, Quantitative Analysis of Patterns (QAP) is employed to assess the impact of diverse influencing factors. The analysis yields several key findings: ① The impact of COVID-19 on the network structure of China’s UAs manifests in two discernible stages—initial impact disruption and subsequent recovery and reconstruction. ② The exploration of pertinent influencing factors during the primary stage of UA development is impeded. ③ The growth stage and the UAs with a high level of development exhibit have a closely intertwined relationship, fostering a more rational hierarchical structure and demonstrating an enhanced capacity for swift recovery. ④ It is discerned that economic development level, medical facility standards, transportation infrastructure capacity, spatial proximity, and innovation accessibility exert a discernible influence on the network structure of UAs. Importantly, the extent of impact varies across different periods and types of UAs.