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Rail Stations To Development: Evidence From Colonial Malaya

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  • Yit Wey Liew

    (Monash University)

  • Muhammad Habibur Rahman

    (Durham University)

  • Audrey Kim Lan Siah

    (Monash University)

Abstract

This study examines how the historical rail stations condition long-run development, using Colonial Malaya as a laboratory. Constructing a novel historical data on rail stations, agglomeration centers, tin mines and rubber plantations dated back to a century and matching with contemporary data on economic activity at one-kilometer cell level, we find that the earlier a region obtains rail stations, the higher level of economic activity it performs today due to agglomeration economies. These results hold even in regions that have already abandoned colonial stations. This study signifies the role of investment on transport infrastructure to accelerate local economic activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Yit Wey Liew & Muhammad Habibur Rahman & Audrey Kim Lan Siah, 2023. "Rail Stations To Development: Evidence From Colonial Malaya," Working Papers 2023_01, Durham University Business School.
    • Handle: RePEc:dur:durham:2023_01
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