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The determinants of urban concentration

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  • Junius, Karsten

Abstract

Urban concentration differs across countries. One determinant of these differences is economic development, which first increases and subsequently decreases urban concentration. I condition the degree of urban concentration on the potential of countries to develop a balanced urban system. These conditions are approximated by the land area, population density and density of the transportation system, which all decrease urban concentration. It is also found that countries with a long independent urban history have lower degrees of urban concentration than countries with a recent colonial past. Furthermore, I assess the impact of some historic variables and historic patterns of urban concentration on current patterns of concentration.

Suggested Citation

  • Junius, Karsten, 1997. "The determinants of urban concentration," Kiel Working Papers 835, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ifwkwp:835
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    Cited by:

    1. Straubhaar, Thomas & Suhrcke, Marc & Urban, Dieter, 2002. "Divergence - Is it Geography?," Discussion Paper Series 26350, Hamburg Institute of International Economics.
    2. Arauzo-Carod, Josep-Maria, 2000. "Industrial Location Patterns In Catalonia: Industrial Mix And Human Capital," ERSA conference papers ersa00p136, European Regional Science Association.
    3. David C. Maré, 2008. "Labour Productivity in Auckland Firms," Working Papers 08_12, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Industrialization; Urban Concentration; Economic Development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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