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arXiv · 1912.05113

Spatial scale of agglomeration and dispersion: Number, spacing, and the spatial extent of cities

Takashi Akamatsu·Tomoya Mori·Minoru Osawa·Yuki Takayama
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Abstract

How does transport cost affect the spatial organization of economic activities? This study develops a theoretical framework that distinguishes between two types of dispersion forces in spatial models: "local" dispersion forces acting within cities, and "global" dispersion forces acting across them. The distinction leads to a systematic classification of spatial models into a few fundamental types, each with distinct endogenous spatial patterns and comparative statics in response to changes in transport costs. The framework reconciles empirical findings and clarifies how transport-induced reorganization of economic activities can depend on the spatial scale of dominant dispersion forces.

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Takashi Akamatsu, Tomoya Mori, Minoru Osawa, Yuki Takayama. 2019-12-11. Spatial scale of agglomeration and dispersion: Number, spacing, and the spatial extent of cities. https://arxiv.org/abs/1912.05113

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