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Taking Innovation to the Streets: Microgeography, Physical Structure, and Innovation

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  • Maria P. Roche

    (Georgia Institute of Technology and Harvard University)

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze how the physical layout of cities affects innovation by influencing the organization of knowledge exchange. We exploit a novel data set covering all census block groups in the contiguous United States with information on innovation outcomes, street infrastructure, as well as population and workforce characteristics. To deal with concerns of omitted variable bias, we apply commuting zone fixed effects and construct instruments based on historic city planning. The results suggest that variation in street network density may explain regional innovation differentials beyond the traditional location externalities found in the literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria P. Roche, 2020. "Taking Innovation to the Streets: Microgeography, Physical Structure, and Innovation," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 102(5), pages 912-928, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:102:y:2020:i:5:p:912-928
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    3. Diemer, Andreas & Regan, Tanner, 2022. "No inventor is an island: Social connectedness and the geography of knowledge flows in the US," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(2).
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    5. Xiao, Hongyu & Wu, Andy & Kim, Jaeho, 2021. "Commuting and innovation: Are closer inventors more productive?," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    6. Diane Coyle, 2021. "The idea of productivity," Working Papers 003, The Productivity Institute.
    7. Yang, Mengjun & Zheng, Shilin & Zhou, Lin, 2022. "Broadband internet and enterprise innovation," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).

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