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Quantitative Urban Models: From Theory to Data

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  • Stephen J. Redding

Abstract

Economic activity is highly unevenly distributed within cities, as reflected in the concentration of economic functions in specific locations, such as finance in the Square Mile in London. The extent to which this concentration reflects natural advantages versus agglomeration forces is central to a range of public policy issues, including the impact of local taxation and transport infrastructure improvements. This paper reviews recent quantitative urban models, which incorporate both differences in natural advantages and agglomeration forces, and can be taken directly to observed data on cities. We show that these models can be used to estimate the strength of agglomeration forces and evaluate the impact of transportation infrastructure improvements on welfare and the spatial distribution of economic activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen J. Redding, 2023. "Quantitative Urban Models: From Theory to Data," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 37(2), pages 75-98, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jecper:v:37:y:2023:i:2:p:75-98
    DOI: 10.1257/jep.37.2.75
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Kennan & James R. Walker, 2011. "The Effect of Expected Income on Individual Migration Decisions," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 79(1), pages 211-251, January.
    2. Gabriel M. Ahlfeldt & Stephen J. Redding & Daniel M. Sturm & Nikolaus Wolf, 2015. "The Economics of Density: Evidence From the Berlin Wall," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 83, pages 2127-2189, November.
    3. McFadden, Daniel, 1974. "The measurement of urban travel demand," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 303-328, November.
    4. Grogger, Jeffrey & Hanson, Gordon H., 2011. "Income maximization and the selection and sorting of international migrants," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(1), pages 42-57, May.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Zhenyu, 2025. "Place-based policies, financial friction, and city size: Evidence from China’s institutional opening-up," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 1522-1556.
    2. Stephen J. Redding & Daniel M. Sturm, 2024. "Neighborhood Effects: Evidence from Wartime Destruction in London," Working Papers 322, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Center for Economic Policy Studies..
    3. Anthony J. Venables, 2025. "Location choice when the number of jobs matters: Matching in spatial equilibrium," CEP Discussion Papers dp2087, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    4. Gorjian, Mahshid, 2025. "Statistical and Methodological Advances in Spatial Economics: A Comprehensive Review of Models, Empirical Strategies, and Policy Evaluation," MPRA Paper 125636, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Dhingra, Swati & Kondirolli, Fjolla & Machin, Stephen, 2025. "Citizen Training and the Urban Waste Footprint," IZA Discussion Papers 18124, IZA Network @ LISER.
    6. Ginés de Rus, 2025. "Evaluación Económica de Políticas Públicas," Working Papers 2025-06, FEDEA.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N30 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N70 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N90 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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