A measure of regional influence with the analytic network process

The metropolitan region is commonly defined by a socio-spatial network of urban nodes that are linked in territory and function. Such a network is differentiated by size and dominance of the linked nodes, characterized by physical or virtual flows of a wide-ranging variety. The analytic network process (ANP) is a multi-criteria analytic method that measures the influence or dominance of the nodes in a network with feedback. We illustrate how ANP determines county rank as a measure of influence in a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) defined by its interrelated socio-economic and spatial elements qualitatively and quantitatively. We compare the ANP results to similar measures of regional influence in the literature.

► Analytic network process (ANP) measures dominance of nodes in a network.
► A network is defined by a set of qualitative and quantitative nodal elements.
► Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) epitomizes a socio-economic network with feedback.
► We derive MSA county rank as a measure of influence in a metropolitan region.
► ANP rankings compare with similar indicators of regional influence in literature.