Sustainability, Vol. 11, Pages 5191: Spatial Correlation Network of Format in the Central Districts of a Megacity: The Case of Shanghai (Sustainability)

The format of different industries within a city is an essential part of a megacity’s development and reflects its central districts’ economic characteristics and development trends. This study takes two central districts in the megacity of Shanghai as its research object and explores the inter-spatial relationships among business format, as well as the mutual spatial relationships within the format network, using the quantitative and qualitative methods of case selection and spatial connectivity. Based on the degree of connectivity, the inter-related formats form a format model association network. Two related characteristics of a format type-related network are hierarchy and stability, and two levels are determined according to the importance of each format in the network: core dominant and non-core dominant. By exploring these relationships, the internal spatial correlation structure of format in the city center, and the hierarchy and systematization of each format, is explained. The results simultaneously contribute to the spatial planning of the central district and provide a valuable policy basis for urban planning managers.