Northeast China Urban Network Structure and Reorganization Based on the Coordinated Development Capability of Cities

Urban synergy can be assessed based on the development of a given city and the organization and development channels between cities. Using the entropy method, correction gravity model, and social network analysis, our study conducted a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the characteristics of urban network space in three northeast provinces in China. The region exhibited a “core city-peripheral city-marginal city” concentric pattern, with the most developed cities at the core. Nevertheless, our findings indicate that a collaborative development pattern is gradually forming. The three northeastern provinces and urban collaboration networks extended further to the north. Liaoning Province, most of Jilin Province, and most of Heilongjiang Province have gradually established a similar development relationship with other cities. The overall level of urban intermediary centers in the northeastern provinces is declining, and the direct contact between cities is becoming more apparent. These findings, in addition to agglomeration calculations, highlight the need for reorganizing the current collaborative urbanization structure in northeast China.