Authors
Randall W Eberts, Daniel P McMillen
Publication date
1999/1/1
Source
Handbook of regional and urban economics
Volume
3
Pages
1455-1495
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
This chapter reviews the theoretical and empirical literature on agglomeration economies and urban public infrastructure. Theory links the two concepts by positing that agglomeration economies exist when firms in an urban area share a public good as an input to production. One type of shareable input is the close proximity of businesses and labor, that generates positive externalities which in turn lower the production cost of one business as the output of other businesses increases. The externalities result from businesses sharing nonexcludable inputs, such as a common labor pool, technical expertise, general knowledge and personal contacts. Another perhaps more tangible type of shareable input is urban public infrastructure. Public capital stock, such as highways, water treatment facilities, and communication systems, directly affect the efficient operation of cities by facilitating business activities and improving …
Total citations
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Scholar articles
RW Eberts, DP McMillen - Handbook of regional and urban economics, 1999