Comparative analysis of the connectivity of world cities in Europe and Asia through the lens of advanced producer service networks

Abstract

To counterbalance a potential overemphasis on the state as the key unit of analysis in research on Asia-Europe relations, we examine how their major cities are interconnected. Analytically, this is achieved by applying a network model to data on the office locations of 175 globalized producer service firms. We examine the strength and orientation (for 2022) and the evolution (for 2010–2022) of these connections. We find that both Asia and Europe have more well-connected cities than any other world region and are characterized by a wide variety of levels of connectedness among their cities. However, the Asian system is somewhat top-heavier and showed more comprehensive connectivity gains. Most cities tend to be oriented towards their own region, albeit that there are some notable exceptions such as Luxembourg and New Delhi having an important trans-regional focus to their intercity connections, while London, Paris, Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong show a relatively balanced profile. We argue that the time is ripe for a nuanced and context-specific approach to understanding how cities can engage on the global stage in general and in Asia-Europe relations in particular.