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Consumption and Social Life in Cities: Evidence from Germany

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  • Rainald Borck

    (Department of Economics, University of Munich, Ludwigstr. 28, 80535 Munich, Germany, rainald.borck@lrz.uni-muenchen.de)

Abstract

This paper examines social agglomeration externalities. Using survey data from the German Socioeconomic Panel, it examines the link between city size and different measures of consumption, social interaction and social capital. There is strong evidence of agglomeration effects in consumption, while positive effects of city size on social interaction and social capital variables seem to some extent to be driven by sorting. Further, using responses to satisfaction questions, the paper analyses whether individuals are compensated for diseconomies of agglomeration by positive agglomeration externalities in other areas. This hypothesis cannot be rejected.

Suggested Citation

  • Rainald Borck, 2007. "Consumption and Social Life in Cities: Evidence from Germany," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 44(11), pages 2105-2121, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:44:y:2007:i:11:p:2105-2121
    DOI: 10.1080/00420980701518925
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tanja Buch & Silke Hamann & Annekatrin Niebuhr & Anja Rossen, 2014. "What Makes Cities Attractive? The Determinants of Urban Labour Migration in Germany," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(9), pages 1960-1978, July.
    2. Annekatrin Niebuhr & Tanja Buch & Silke Hamann & Anja Rossen, 2012. "Jobs or Amenities – What determines the migration balances of cities?," ERSA conference papers ersa12p401, European Regional Science Association.
    3. John V Winters & Yu Li, 2017. "Urbanisation, natural amenities and subjective well-being: Evidence from US counties," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 54(8), pages 1956-1973, June.
    4. Cullmann, Astrid & Geppert, Kurt, 2012. "Socio-Economic Trends and New Territorial Dynamics in the European Union : Convergence and Agglomeration," EconStor Preprints 128596, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    5. Chengri Ding & Zhi Li, 2022. "City Size and Household Consumption in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-14, November.
    6. Concetta Castiglione & Davide Infante, 2025. "The Demand and Supply for Theatre: A Long-Run Analysis over the Italian Regions," Homo Oeconomicus: Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics, Springer, vol. 42(2), pages 87-113, December.
    7. Sibylle Puntscher & Christoph Hauser & Karin Pichler & Gottfried Tappeiner, 2014. "Social Capital and Collective Memory: A Complex Relationship," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(1), pages 116-132, February.

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