Growing through Cities in Developing Countries

Duranton, Gilles

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: ACCESSIBILITY;    AGGLOMERATION BENEFITS;    AGGLOMERATION ECONOMIES;    CITIES;    CITY POPULATION;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-6818
RP-ID  :  WPS6818

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

This paper examines the effects ofurbanization on development and growth. It begins with alabor market perspective and emphasizes the importance ofagglomeration economies, both static and dynamic. It thenargues that more productive jobs in cities do not exist in avoid and underscores the importance of job and firmdynamics. In turn, these dynamics are shaped by the broadercharacteristics of urban systems. A number of conclusionsare drawn. First, agglomeration effects are quantitativelyimportant and pervasive. Second, the productive advantage oflarge cities is constantly eroded and must be sustained bynew job creation and innovation. Third, this process ofcreative destruction in cities, which is fundamental foraggregate growth, is determined in part by thecharacteristics of urban systems and broader institutionalfeatures. The paper highlights important differences betweendeveloping countries and more advanced economies. A majorchallenge for developing countries is to reinforce the roleof their urban systems as drivers of economic growth.