Spatial Growth Theory: Optimality and Spatial Heterogeneity

Anastasios Xepapadeas and Athanasios Yannacopoulos

No 2033, DEOS Working Papers from Athens University of Economics and Business

Abstract: Spatiotemporal dynamics are introduced in a standard Ramsey model of optimal growth in which capital moves towards locations where the marginal productivity of capita is relatively higher. We extend Pontryagin's maximum principle to account for transition dynamics governed by a nonlinear partial differential equation emerging for spatial capital flows. The potential spatial heterogeneity of optimal growth as seen from the point of view of an optimizing social planner is examined. Our results suggest that for high utility discount rate the spatial capital flows induce the emergence of optimal spatial patterns while hor low utility discount a flat-earth steady state is socially optimal. Furthermore, when spatial heterogeneities exist due to total factor productivity differences across locations, we identify conditions under which the spatial capital flows could intensify or weaken spatial inequalities.

Keywords: Ramsey model; spatiotemporal dynamics; flat earth; pattern formation. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C61 C62 O41 R11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-10-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-geo and nep-upt
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Journal Article: Spatial growth theory: Optimality and spatial heterogeneity (2023)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aue:wpaper:2033

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