The Magnitude and Causes of Agglomeration Economies
17 Pages Posted: 8 Feb 2010
Date Written: 2009-09
Abstract
Firms and workers are much more productive in large and dense urban environments. There is substantial evidence of such agglomeration economies based on three approaches. First, on a clustering of production beyond what can be explained by chance or comparative advantage. Second, on spatial patterns in wages and rents. Third, on systematic variations in productivity with the urban environment. However, more needs to be learned about the causes of agglomeration economies. We have good models of agglomeration through sharing and matching, but not a deep enough understanding of learning in cities. Despite recent progress, more work is needed to distinguish empirically between alternative causes.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?
Recommended Papers
-
Productivity Gains from Geographic Concentration of Human Capital: Evidence from the Cities
-
By Edward L. Glaeser and David C. Maré
-
Micro-Foundations of Urban Agglomeration Economies
By Gilles Duranton and Diego Puga
-
Micro-Foundations of Urban Agglomeration Economies
By Gilles Duranton and Diego Puga
-
Cities, Skills, and Regional Change
By Edward L. Glaeser, Giacomo A. M. Ponzetto, ...
-
Cities, Skills, and Regional Change
By Edward L. Glaeser, Giacomo A. M. Ponzetto, ...
-
By Edward L. Glaeser, Jed Kolko, ...