2017 Urban Research Awards: Agglomeration Economies in the Information Age

Economics Ph.D. candidate Andrew Busey aims to test the popular theory in urban economics that variations in population density, both temporally and geographically, occur because of agglomeration economies. As part of his larger dissertation, Busey uses an innovative econometric strategy to provide causal estimates of the impact of population density on labor productivity in the United States.

Using ArcGIS, Busey will combine geographic data with the economic characteristics and outcomes of individuals as documented by the census in order to reveal correlations and patterns between the changing nature of work in today’s cities and the direction—and impact—of income inequality in these areas.

View more projects funded through our Early Stage Urban Research Awards