Urbanisation and urban divergence: France 1760 – 2020 by Gilles Duranton

Join us for the latest Applied Economics and Macroeconomics Research Seminar Series event, Summer Term 2024.

Gilles Duranton, from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, will present this week's seminar on Urbanisation and urban divergence: France 1760 – 2020.

Abstract

We use a combination of image processing and machine learning tools to extract data from historical maps of France. Granular information about the distribution of population allows us to delineate cities consistently (and relatively) over 260 years. Against a backdrop of rising population, the rate of urbanization increased but the number of cities declined and the size distribution of cities also became increasingly skewed. Within cities, population density rose and its gradient flattened. To bring these facts together, we propose a model of urban divergence for which we verify further empirical predictions.

The seminar will begin with a presentation and will end with a Q and A session.

It will be held in the Economics Common Room at 2pm on Thursday 25 April. This event is open to all levels of study and is also open to the public. To register your place and gain access to the webinar, please contact the seminar organisers.

This event is part of the Applied Economics Research Seminar Series.