Geographical Economics: A Survey

Abstract

The notion of 'polycentric city system' is currently receiving growing attention as a basic element of the 'European Spatial Policy'. From this perspective, both agglomeration and economic integration have to be reinterpreted on a wider geographical scale. This is of interest of the s.c. Geographical Economics. Focusing on both 'size' and 'number' (of clusters), this paper surveys the most recent contributions to the theoretical analysis of: i) determinants of concentration and dispersion; ii) market outcome efficiency. Key results are highlighted, related to model assumptions, and classified on the basis of the underlying hypothesis on external economies and market structure.

Keywords: Economic geography, agglomeration, cities, transport costs, spatial policy, trade, monopolistic competition, product variety, linkages

JEL Classification: F11, F12, L11, L13, R12, R13