Abstract
Social networks have been shaping the reality surrounding humans for centuries. However, today they are taking on a new form in a globalized world based on the flow of information and knowledge. Despite the view that the space of flows plays a key role in a network society, the question arises whether this space has a geographical character. The literature continues to debate whether space matters in city cooperation. On the one hand, the “death of geography” or the “death of distance” is indicated due to globalization processes and the development of communication technologies. On the other hand, researchers provide evidence that geographical proximity still drives social, economic, or institutional relationships. One form of cooperation between towns is the Cittaslow Network, which gathers only small towns (less than 50,000 inhabitants). The study aimed to identify the cooperation network of towns within the Polish Cittaslow Network and determine whether geographical proximity impacts the nature and frequency of cooperation undertaken with individual network members. A quantitative survey was conducted using CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) among the representatives of town halls. Data analysis was performed using Social Network Analysis (SNA) and a statistical model of the cumulative amount of inter-city collaboration at different spatial distance ranges. The study shows that geographical proximity is important in undertaking cooperation. Towns in close spatial proximity have the greatest strength of collaboration.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Cittaslow Network, Geographical Proximity, Inter-City Cooperation, Social Network Analysis, Towns
