Ouwehand, WesselM., van Oort, FrankG. and Cortinovis, N. (2022). Spatial structure and productivity in European regions Regional Studies, 56(1):48--62.
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Affiliated author
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Publication year2022
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JournalRegional Studies
Through an analysis of total factor productivity for European regions using an econometric identification strategy, we find that significant impacts exist for both urban size and structure. A larger urban size positively affects regional productivity. Polycentric urban structures have no directly identified impacts on productivity. We find that an interaction between urban size and polycentricity has a negative effect, suggesting that polycentric regions are unable to substitute for the economic urbanization externalities associated with a single large city. These findings have important implications for the European Union-wide policy agenda on urban development and regional productivity.