Introduction to Geographical and Urban Economics : A Spiky World

A comprehensive introduction to both urban and geographical economics: the two dominant approaches used to explain the distribution of economic activity across space. This fully revised and up-to-date third edition gives a full account of the ever-expanding body of knowledge and insights on urban and geographical economics, with an increased emphasis on analytical concepts and empirical methods, reflecting developments in the literature since the last edition. The authors provide both state-of-the-art theories and empirics, introducing new data, methods and models for this edition, including a whole chapter dedicated to measurement issues and empirical methods. Written in a style that is accessible to students who are new to the field, this textbook also includes more advanced concepts that will interest experienced researchers. Unrivalled in its scope and depth, this title is perfect for readers seeking to understand the uneven spatial distribution of economic activity between and within countries.

Steven Brakman is Professor of International Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. He is a research fellow of the CESifo institute in Munich, and co-editor of the Journal of Regional Science. He is academic partner of the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy analysis, and member of the programme committee of Statistics Netherlands.

Harry Garretsen is Professor of International Economics and Business at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, and a visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge. Garretsen has published widely in books and leading international journals on urban, geographical, international economics and also on economics and leadership. He has also been active in giving policy advice on these topics. His editorial board activities include the Journal of Economic Geography, Journal of Regional Science, Cambridge Journal of the Regions, Economy and Society, and Leadership Quarterly.

Charles van Marrewijk is Professor of Economics and Head of Research at Universiteit Utrecht School of Economics, The Netherlands. He has published widely for leading international journals and publishers on spatial economics (including international, urban, regional, and geographical economics) and development economics (including economic growth, agglomeration, and globalization).