Abstract
The purpose of this study is to test if the presence of robust transportation infrastructure has an impact on the formation of employment subcenters in the Chicago Metropolitan area. This paper derives a theoretical model using bidrent theory that develops a polycentric urban framework. The empirical model uses net employment density to operationalize bidrent theory. Two empirical models are developed and tested: The first employs a twostage regression process to control for selfselection bias, and the other uses standard linear regression.
The results generated by the twostage model demonstrate that selfselection bias is not present in the model, so the standard linear regression model was developed and results interpreted. Both models produced significant results, which found that the presence of transportation infrastructure has positive effects on net employment density, supporting the author’s hypothesis. Evidence also indicates that the CBD, O’Hare, and other previously identified subcenters have an attracting effect, as employment density tends to be concentrated in those areas.
Advisor
Burnell, James D.
Department
Business Economics
Recommended Citation
Quinn, Daniel P., "Accessibility and Employment Subcenters: How Transportation Infrastructure Influences Firm Location Decision" (2016). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 7183.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/7183
Keywords
Bid-Rent Theory, Urban Economics, Polycentric Urban Model
Publication Date
2016
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2016 Daniel P. Quinn