Identifying Spatial Efficiency-Equity Tradeoffs in Territorial Development Policies : Evidence from Uganda

29 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2016

See all articles by Somik V. Lall

Somik V. Lall

World Bank

Elizabeth Schroeder

Oregon State University - Department of Economics

Emily Schmidt

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: June 1, 2009

Abstract

In many countries, place specific investments in infrastructure are viewed as integral components of territorial development policies. But are these policies fighting market forces of concentration? Or are they adding net value to the national economy by tapping underexploited resources? This paper contributes to the debate on the spatial allocation of infrastructure investments by examining where these investments will generate the highest economic returns spatial efficiency, and identifying whether there re tradeoffs when infrastructure coverage is made more equitable across regions spatial equity. The empirical analysis focuses on Uganda and is based on estimating models of firm location choice, drawing on insights from the new economic geography literature. The main findings show that establishments in the manufacturing industry gain from being in areas that offer a diverse mix of economic activities. In addition, availability of power supply, transport links connecting districts to markets, and the supply of skilled workers attract manufacturing activities. Combining all these factors gives a distinct advantage to existing agglomerations along leading areas around Kampala and Jinja. Infrastructure investments in these areas are likely to produce the highest returns compared with investments elsewhere. Public infrastructure investments in other locations are likely to attract fewer private investors, and will pose a spatial efficiency equity tradeoff. To better integrate lagging regions with the national economy, lessons from the WDR2009 'Reshaping Economic Geography' calling for investments in health and education in lagging areas are likely to be more beneficial.

Keywords: Transport Economics Policy & Planning, E-Business, Banks & Banking Reform, Non Bank Financial Institutions, Economic Theory & Research

Suggested Citation

Lall, Somik V. and Schroeder, Elizabeth and Schmidt, Emily, Identifying Spatial Efficiency-Equity Tradeoffs in Territorial Development Policies : Evidence from Uganda (June 1, 2009). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 4966, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1427626

Somik V. Lall (Contact Author)

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433
United States

HOME PAGE: http://econ.worldbank.org/staff/slall

Elizabeth Schroeder

Oregon State University - Department of Economics ( email )

Corvallis, OR 97331
United States

Emily Schmidt

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available