Work

Uneven Pattern in Natural-Amenity Driven Growth

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines the uneven regional pattern in the amenity-driven growth in the USA. It proposes that the uneven pattern could be driven by the dual nature of natural amenities, considering both their quality-of-life effects on households and their productivity effects on firms. A quantitative spatial equilibrium model (QSE) is modified to generate a spatially varying effect of natural amenities on local population growth. The modified QSE model also justifies the introduction of a partially linear spatially varying coefficient model and the adoption of a statistical learning method: the Bivariate Penalized Spline Estimation over Triangulation (BPST). By highlighting the importance of the spatially varying productivity effects, the research shows that natural-amenity-driven growth is not a panacea for rural community development.

Source: Review of Regional Studies

DOI: 10.52324/001c.173439

Authors: Yong Chen, Myungjin Kim

Institutions: Oregon State University, Kyungpook National University

Language: English

Topic: Agglomeration and Urban Systems

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Research Foundation of Korea, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Development Administration

OpenAlex ID: W4392621106

FWCI:

Cites: 52

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Related to: 10