Highways, Market Access, and Spatial Sorting
Additional information
Authors
Fretz S.,
Parchet R.,
Robert-Nicoud F.
Type
Journal Article
Year
2022
Language
English
Abstract
We design a parsimonious spatial equilibrium model featuring workers embodied with heterogeneous skills and non-homothetic preferences. In equilibrium, locations with improved commuting access become relatively more attractive to high-income earners. We empirically analyse the effects of the construction of the Swiss highway network between 1960 and 2010 on the population size and composition of municipalities. We find that the advent of a new highway access led to a long-term 24% increase in the share of top-income taxpayers and a 8% decrease in the share of low-income taxpayers, impacting segregation by income. Highways also contributed to job and residential urban sprawl.
Journal
The Economic Journal
Volume
132
Number
643
Month
April
Start page number
1011
End page number
1036
Keywords
Transportation, Highway, Market access, Income sorting.
