Accessibility, Connectivity and Resilience in Complex Networks

The ‘network embedding’ implications for complexity theory raise the issue of the search for a ‘hidden’ order/simplicity (Reggiani and Nijkamp, 2009). In this context, a dual analysis (Spatial Economic Science vs. Network Science) seems essential. This will be briefly reviewed in this chapter, by focusing on the role of accessibility. In particular we will show how accessibility can be the ‘simplest’ model which – by embedding connectivity – can link network science and spatial-economic science, and thus capture the homogeneity/heterogeneity of the spatial system concerned from both the methodological and the empirical viewpoint . Starting from these considerations, we will then explore the relationships between accessibility and an interesting concept linked to the robustness of the network: i.e. the resilience. Some reflections and suggestions for future research will be finally provided.