Better or worse job accessibility? Understanding changes in spatial mismatch: evidence from Medellín, Colombia

David Bernal, Gustavo García Cruz () and Jorge Pérez Pérez

No 2025-09, Working Papers from Banco de México

Abstract: We propose a methodology to calculate the mismatch between places of work and places of residence that incorporates monetary and opportunity transportation costs while correcting for possible overestimation of job accessibility. This methodology enables the analysis of spatiotemporal changes in spatial mismatch without discarding data from spatial units that change over time. We apply the methodology to measure spatial mismatch in Medellín, Colombia, for public and private transportation from 2012 to 2017. In line with previous work, our results indicate that including transportation and opportunity costs leads to a more realistic measure of job availability. Despite investments in public transportation and infrastructure, spatial mismatch in Medellín increased between 2012 and 2017. Our analysis shows that job accesibility through private transport decreased more than through public transport, and that the expansion of the latter in Medellín may have mitigated spatial mismatch.

Keywords: Spatial Mismatch; Job Accessibility; Travel Times; Transport Costs; Public and Private Transport (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J61 R41 R42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-lab and nep-tre
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