• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.125-134
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• 2020

The regional centrality plays a very important role in national and regional planning and it is measured by data such as people, goods, and information flows among regions. The inter-regional flows are usually considered by only direct flows, yet indirect flows, which are generated accordingly from direct flows, are not critically considered. Most centrality studies have also hardly reflected the indirect flow in the network analysis. This study demonstrates the significance of the indirect flows to enhance accuracy of the regional centrality. The nationwide dataset of inter-regional commuter traffic matrix is used in this study and analysed into two groups; one to consider only direct flow and the other both direct and indirect flows. The results indicate remarkable differences of centrality raking between two groups such as Yeongam of Jeonnam Province(+60th), Eumseong of Chungbuk Province(+57th), Gwacheon of Gyeonggi Province (-35th), and Nowon of Seoul (-32nd). It clearly shows the significant influence of indirect flow for regional centrality study. This also reveals regional centrality ranking in Korea by considering direct and indirect flows of commuters. Jung, Gangnam, and Jongno of Seoul are categorized in the highest rank group and Ulleung of Gyeongbuk, Ongjin of Incheon, and Jindo of Jeonnam are in the lowest group. The top group includes seven districts of Seoul, two of Busan, and one of Gyeonggi Province. The bottom group includes mostly island and costal areas. As this study shows an accurate method of centrality measurement, it has a significant implication to lead an effective regional planning.