We estimate the effects of interstate highways on growth U.S. cities between 1983 and 2003. find that a 10% increase in city's initial stock causes about 1.5% its employment over this 20 year period. To structural model urban transportation, we rely an instrumental variables estimation uses 1947 plan highway system, 1898 map railroads, maps early explorations as instruments for highways.

We investigate the effect of lane kilometers roads on vehicle-kilometers traveled (VKT) in US cities. VKT increases proportionately to roadway for interstate highways and probably slightly less rapidly other types roads. The sources this extra are driving by current residents, commercial traffic, migration. Increasing one type road diverts little traffic from road. find no evidence that provision public transportation affects VKT. conclude increased or transit is unlikely relieve congestion....

We study the extent to which U. S. urban development is sprawling and what determines differences in sprawl across space. Using remote-sensing data track evolution of land use on a grid 8.7 billion 30 × meter cells, we measure as amount undeveloped surrounding an average dwelling. The remained roughly unchanged between 1976 1992, although it varied dramatically metropolitan areas. Ground water availability, temperate climate, rugged terrain, decentralized employment, early public transport...

We investigate how urban railroad and highway configurations have influenced form in Chinese cities since 1990. Each radial displaces 4% of central city population to surrounding regions, ring roads displace about an additional 20%, with stronger effects the richer coastal regions. reduces industrial GDP by displacing 50%. provide evidence that highways decentralize service sector activity, railroads both. Historical transportation infrastructure provides identifying variation more recent...

We estimate the effect of interstate highways on level and composition trade for US cities. Highways within cities have a large weight city exports with an elasticity approximately 0.5. find little total value exports. Consistent this, we that more specialize in sectors producing heavy goods.

We evaluate the effect of land use regulation on value and welfare. Our estimates are based a decomposition effects into three components: an own-lot effect, which reflects cost regulatory constraints to owner parcel; external one's neighbors; supply regulated scarcity developable land. Using this decomposition, we arrive at novel strategy for estimating plausibly causal This exploits cross-border changes in development, prices, regions near municipal borders. suggest large negative welfare...

Taxes levied on the sale or purchase of real estate are pervasive but little studied. By exploiting a natural experiment arising from Toronto's imposition Land Transfer Tax (LTT) in early 2008, we estimate impact transfer taxes market for single family homes. Our data show that 1.1% tax caused 15% decline number sales and housing prices about equal to tax. Relative an equivalent property tax, associated welfare loss is substantial, $1 every $8 revenue. The magnitude this comparable those...

Research on core cultural values has been central to behavioral and clinical research in ethnic groups. Familismo is one such construct, theorized as the strong identification attachment of Hispanic persons with their nuclear extended families. Our anthropological this concept among Mexicans Mexican immigrants United States elaborates concept, promotes greater complementarity between quantitative qualitative data topic. Ethnographic work spanning 3 sites over four years reveal that familismo...

We describe patterns of urbanization in the developing world and extent to which they differ from developed world. consider can be explained by conventional models spatial equilibrium. Despite their relative poverty, cities are relatively highly productive often provide good access safe water, improved sanitation, schooling, inoculations. In some parts world, home a surprisingly small number factory workers large farmers. Developing seem do less well at protecting residents lifestyle...

We investigate determinants of driving speed in large U.S. cities. first estimate city-level supply functions for travel an econometric framework where the and demand are explicit. These estimations allow us to calculate index rank cities by speed. Our data suggest that a congestion tax about 3.5 cents per kilometer yields welfare gains $30 billion year, centralized slower, with ring roads faster, provision automobile is subject decreasing returns scale.

Secure land tenure is important to the development process, but China's rural reforms have so far failed provide farm households with this security.We examine political economy of and find that local governments sacrifice security in interests efficiency equity.Local rent seeking also plays an role, a likely source under-development rental markets.Our results further suggest decreases distortionary taxes increases integrity elections will lead more secure increased reliance on market exchange.

We study a collective decision-making process in which people interested an issue may participate, at cost, meeting, and the resulting decision is compromise among participants' preferences. show that equilibrium number of participants small their positions are extreme, when median, outcome likely to be random. The model its equilibria consistent with evidence on procedures outcomes U.S. regulatory hearings. (JEL D7, H0, L5)

Assessing scientists using exploitable metrics can lead to the degradation of research methods even without any strategic behaviour on part individuals, via ‘the natural selection bad science.’ Institutional incentives maximize like publication quantity and impact drive this dynamic. Removing these is necessary, but institutional change slow. However, recent developments suggest possible solutions with more rapid onsets. These include what we call open science improvements , which reduce...

Latent fingerprints at crime scenes are frequently recovered using forensic gel-lifters, which can help to preserve the scene and enhance visualisation of traces such as blood or paint. In addition providing fingerprint ridge detail, additional chemical information also be from gel lifts that may prove pertinent an investigation. However, while DNA metal ions have been shown able detected in gel-lifted fingerprints, determination other types presence drugs prints has not previously shown....

Journal Article Meetings with Costly Participation: An Empirical Analysis Get access Matthew Turner, Turner University of Toronto Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Quinn Weninger Iowa State The Review Economic Studies, Volume 72, Issue 1, January 2005, Pages 247–268, https://doi.org/10.1111/0034-6527.00331 Published: 01 2005 history Received: December 2001 Accepted: February 2004

Using a sample of rural Chinese villages, which have recently been the subject democratic reforms, we look for relationships between marginal changes in process and economic outcomes. We find that even very poorly conducted elections can large incentive effects. That is, corruptible provide leaders with strong incentives to act interests their constituents. Our findings also allow us rank importance four possible election attracted attention international observers academic researchers.