Transportation Costs and the Spatial Organization of Economic Activity / Stephen J. Redding, Matthew A. Turner.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Redding, Stephen J.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Turner, Matthew A.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w20235.

NBER working paper series no. w20235

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2014.

Summary:

This paper surveys the theoretical and empirical literature on the relationship between the spatial distribution of economic activity and transportation costs. We develop a multi-region model of economic geography that we use to understand the general equilibrium implications of transportation infrastructure improvements within and between locations for wages, population, trade and industry composition. Guided by the predictions of this model, we review the empirical literature on the effects of transportation infrastructure improvements on economic development, paying particular attention to the use of exogenous sources of variation in the construction of transportation infrastructure. We examine evidence from different spatial scales, between and within cities. We outline a variety of areas for further research, including distinguishing reallocation from growth and dynamics.

Notes:

Print version record

June 2014.