The Economics of Urban Density

Diego Puga and Gilles Duranton

No 14768, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: Urban density boosts productivity and innovation, improves access to goods and services, reduces typical travel distances, encourages energy-efficient construction and transport, and facilitates sharing scarce amenities. However, density is also synonymous with crowding, makes living and moving in cities more costly, and concentrates exposure to pollution and disease. We explore the appropriate measurement of density and describe how it is both a cause and a consequence of the evolution of cities. We then discuss whether and how policy should target density and why the trade-off between its pros and cons is unhappily resolved by market and political forces.

Keywords: Density; Agglomeration; Urban costs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: R12 R31 R32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene, nep-geo and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (83)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Economics of Urban Density (2020)
Working Paper: The Economics of Urban Density (2020)
Working Paper: The Economics of Urban Density (2020)
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