Who do cities exist? - Agglomeration economies

9 important questions on Who do cities exist? - Agglomeration economies

What is meant by external returns to scale?

Firms benefit form each others' presence. As you see in the picture the productivity increases when the city size increases.

If we look at external returns to scale. What is the difference between the graph of a large city an a small city?

X = labor
y = productivity

What are the 3 sources for agglomeration economies Marshall defined?

  1. Input and output sharing (goods)
  2. Labour market pooling (people)
  3. Knowledge spillovers (ideas)
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What is input/output sharing? And explain both sides

By sharing with other firms the transportation costs of goods are lower
  • Input sharing, a cluster will attract input suppliers. Due to competition input prices will be lower
  • Output sharing lead to more potential customers

Is input/output sharing as important today as it was in the past?

It became less important because transport costs decreased but it is still efficient.

Is input/output sharing equally important for all firms?

It is more important for production firms. If your products are big or heavy production costs become an important part.

What is labor market pooling?

Transportation costs of people become lower because of clustering

  • Varying demand for labor
  • Varying supply of labor
  • easier to find ideal worker (moviestars in Hollywood)

What is knowledge spillover?

It leas to lower transportation costs of ideas
  • Formal and informal exchange of information:
    • Labor mobility between firms
    • Network events
    • Cooperation with nearby firms
  • This leads to new ideas (Silicon Valley)

Name 4 things/benefits that determine urban size?

  1. Amenities (pubs/shops/cinemas)
  2. Joint labour supply of families
    • 2 workers (mum&dad) may look for different industries
    • Relatively more power couples in bigger cities
  3. Greater learning opportunities
    • Wider variety of role models
  4. Social opportunities
    • Higher chance of meeting someone who shares the same interests


--> Sorting of people

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo