Replication data for: "Cities in Bad Shape: Urban Geometry in India"

Principal Investigator(s):  View help for Principal Investigator(s) Mariaflavia Harari, University of Pennsylvania. The Wharton School

Version:  View help for Version V1

Name File Type Size Last Modified
  DatasetCreate_Folder 04/07/2020 11:08:AM
  ReplicationFolder_Appendix 04/07/2020 12:19:PM
  ReplicationFolder_Main 04/07/2020 12:21:PM
CityShapeMarch2020_Appendix.pdf application/pdf 688.9 KB 04/07/2020 08:23:AM
CityShapeMarch2020_Paper.pdf application/pdf 548.3 KB 04/06/2020 01:50:PM
ReplicationReadMe_2020.pdf application/pdf 544.8 KB 05/06/2020 12:51:PM

Project Citation: 

Harari, Mariaflavia. Replication data for: “Cities in Bad Shape: Urban Geometry in India.” Nashville, TN: American Economic Association [publisher], 2020. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2020-07-23. https://doi.org/10.3886/E116003V1

Project Description

Summary:  View help for Summary The spatial layout of cities is an important feature of urban form, highlighted by urban planners but overlooked by economists. This paper investigates the causal economic implications of city shape in India. I measure cities’ geometric properties over time using satellite imagery and historical maps. I develop an instrument for urban shape based on geographic obstacles encountered by expanding cities. Compact city shape is associated with faster population growth and households display positive willingness to pay for more compact layouts. Transit accessibility is an important channel. Land use regulations can contribute to deteriorating city shape.

Scope of Project

JEL Classification:  View help for JEL Classification
      R10 General Regional Economics (includes Regional Data)
      R30 Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location: General


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Published Versions

V1 [2020-07-23]

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