Spatial structure of the economic network of Central Plains Economic Zone

This paper will focus on the spatial structure of the economic network of Central Plains Economic Zone, 231 nodes which are at county level and above in this area are considered, their intensity of economic connection were computed based on gravity model in 1996 and 2010. Then, spatial pattern and evolution characteristics of the economic network of Central Plains Economic Zone are analyzed. The result shows: (1) There is significant difference among the node's cyber power in the economic network of Central Plains Economic Zone. Node's degree has a fat-tailed distribution to the right. Zhengzhou is the absolute center of the economic network and Luoyang is the subcenter as well as Handan. (2) According to the spatial structure of the economic network, the whole network can be divided into five communities. (3) The network is in a period of polarization. The hub node's cyber power is increasing such as Zhengzhou and Luoyang, etc. (4) Most hub nodes of the economic network are located in Central Plains City Group, so the development of Central Plains City Group is critical to enhance the connected ability of the economic network.