The framework for analyzing the mechanism of the evolution of inter-city relationship networks on regional economic resilience

In this paper, we applied an analytical framework called "city cooperation intention → city relationship network → regional economic resilience," while considering the concept of externality as a measure of city cooperation intention, to draw insights from the perspectives of city relationships, biological evolution, and evolutionary economy. The evaluation system we developed focuses on the impact of inherent city culture on the inter-city relationship network, using variables such as knowledge spillover effect, technology symbiosis index, and market structure. We also incorporated innovation, resilience, and regeneration as determinants of regional economic resilience, building upon previous research findings. By applying structural force theory and a three-dimensional coordinate method, we analyzed the correlation between the relationship network and regional economic resilience, established a model to illustrate how the relationship network influences regional economic resilience, and described the course of action taken by the "three factors" of the relationship network on regional economic resilience. Ultimately, the aim of this study is to uncover the mechanism through which the inter-city relationship network affects regional economic resilience, with implications for healthy city design.