Sphere of Influence Analysis

Sphere of influence analysis is an analytical method calculating the spatial range of the influence of cities and towns according to certain criteria combining both spatial attributes and spatial distance. Urban sphere of influence (USI) is one of the main components of urban system research. USI indicates the distribution of the social-economic strength within a region. By mapping the influence of the central city, we can explicitly examine the social and economic development of the central city and the distribution of the urban system within the region, and the development sequence of the region. Through the superposition analysis of both USI and administrative regions, we can understand the composition and cross-city distribution characteristics of USI, which may provide theoretical basis for urban planning, economic regionalization, as well as administrative (re)adjustment.

Edited and translated by Zhang Yifei