Urban co-opetition in megaregions: Measuring competition and cooperation within and beyond the Pearl River Delta

Megaregions are often argued to be characterised by complex dynamics of both competition and cooperation. To better understand this ‘co-opetition’, this research draws on network thinking to theoretically conceptualize, methodologically specify, and empirically assess competitive and cooperative relations between a megaregion's constituent cities. Conceptually, we draw on insights from niche overlap theory to develop a methodology for assessing the direction and strength of cooperative and competitive intercity relations in megaregions. Empirically, the methodology is illustrated for the case of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) by drawing on human mobility big data as a proxy for flows of human capital. By comparing patterns on a regional, provincial, and national scale, insight is gained into the positions and roles of cities within the megaregion. Based on the results, we discuss the added value of this novel framework for understanding megaregional dynamics and reflect on possible avenues for further research.