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Paving the way to modern growth. Evidence from Bourbon roads in Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Miquel-Àngel Garcia-López

    (Autonomous University of Barcelona & Institut d’Economia de Barcelona (IEB))

  • Alfonso Herranz-Loncán

    (University of Barcelona and 'Antoni de Capmany' Research Centre)

  • Filippo Tassinari

    (University of Barcelona & Institut d’Economia de Barcelona (IEB))

  • Elisabet Viladecans-Marsal

    (University of Barcelona & Institut d’Economia de Barcelona (IEB))

Abstract
This paper analyses the impact that Spanish road construction had on local population growth between 1787 and 1857. We find that the increase in market access associated to road accessibility had a substantial effect on local population growth. The impact was substantially higher on the municipalities that were connected earlier and that had a more diversified occupational structure. By contrast, the effect of the new network on population growth was negative in municipalities close but without direct access to the roads. We interpret these findings as evidence of a process of rural-to-rural migration due to the new roads.

Suggested Citation

  • Miquel-Àngel Garcia-López & Alfonso Herranz-Loncán & Filippo Tassinari & Elisabet Viladecans-Marsal, 2021. "Paving the way to modern growth. Evidence from Bourbon roads in Spain," Working Papers 0209, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    • Handle: RePEc:hes:wpaper:0209
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    File URL: https://www.ehes.org/wp/EHES_209.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    roads; accessibility; market access; population growth; pre-railway transport; Spain;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H54 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Infrastructures
    • N73 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N93 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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