ABSTRACT
As an intrinsically relational concept, thinking about cities as hubs requires also thinking about cities as nodes in urban networks. The author begins by considering the role that urban networks play in urban economies generally; and in their creative economies specifically. While cities that serve as focal points in these networks are commonly described as hub cities, and are viewed as economically advantaged, he argues that multiple types of hub city are possible. Studies of the economic consequences of a given city serving as airline hubs typically focus on such places offering greater levels of service and accessibility to local businesses and business travellers, and thus being associated with higher levels of employment. Across studies using differing methods and examining data from different time periods, there is remarkable consensus that economic growth, and specifically employment growth, is a consequence rather than a cause of cities roles as hubs in the airline transportation network.
