Productive cities: Sorting, selection and agglomeration

Gilles Duranton, Frederic Robert-Nicoud and Kristian Behrens ()

No 7922, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: Large cities produce more output per capita than small cities. This may occur because more talented individuals sort into large cities, because large cities select more productive entrepreneurs and firms, or because of agglomeration economies. We develop a model of systems of cities that combines all three elements and suggests interesting complementarities between them. The model can replicate stylised facts about sorting, agglomeration, and selection in cities. It can also generate Zipf's law for cities. Finally, it provides a useful framework within which to reinterpret existing empirical evidence.

Keywords: Agglomeration; City size; Selection; Sorting; Urban premium; Zipf's law (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J24 R10 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-07
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (50)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Productive Cities: Sorting, Selection, and Agglomeration (2014)
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