Month: December 2011

EVALUATING THE DYNAMIC AND SPATIAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF AN EARTHQUAKE: A CGE APPLICATION TO JAPAN

Hiroyuki SHIBUSAWA

Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan hiro-shibu@tut.jp

 

Yuzuru MIYATA

Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan

miyata@ace.tut.ac.jp

Abstract:

We have developed a dynamic spatial computable general equilibrium model to investigate the regional economic impacts of an earthquake. In our spatial model, Japan is subdivided into 47 regions. All the regions are connected by transportation networks. Our model is of a decentralized economy with utility-maximizing consumers and value-maximizing firms in a dynamic context. The model embodies both the spatial commodity flows among regions and the dynamics of regional investments. The model is calibrated for the regional economy using a multi-regional input-output table for Japan. We estimate the impacts of a hypothetical earthquake, which is expected to occur in the near future, on the regional economy in a case study of the Tokai region of Japan. The results show the indirect and distributional economic impacts before and after an earthquake. This study suggests that any disaster analysis should evaluate the economic impacts of a disaster based on both ex-ante and ex-post criteria.

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FACTORS OF ACCESSIBILITY POTENTIAL MODELS

Géza Tóth

Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Budapest,

and

Áron Kincses

Hungary, 1024 Budapest, Keleti Károly út 5-7, Hungary

Abstract:

The use of accessibility potential models is widespread in transport geographical studies. In this analysis the connections between the different accessibility models and development conditions are examined. In connection with the use of the models, the problem arises that, due to their complexity, their interpretation may meet some difficulties. In order to solve this problem, a method which is suitable for breaking down the accessibility potentials into factors has been developed. The study analyses the spatial relation between development and accessibility taking as example the EU NUTS3 regions, the factors of the accessibility potential models are presented and the relations between these factors and the components of development are examined. Finally, the population potential in the NUTS3 regions of EU27 is examined according to the nationality of the dominant region influencing it.

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OPTIMAL ALLOCATION OF INVESTMENT AND REGIONAL DISPARITIES

Alexiadis Stilianos

Ministry of Rural Development and Foods, Department of Agricultural Policy &   Documentation, Division of Agricultural Statistics, e-mail: salexiadis7@aim.com

and

Ladias Christos

Department of Regional Economic Development, University of Central Greece

Abstract: 

A model of optimal allocation of investment across regions is developed. It is shown that the optimality conditions may lead to increasing inequalities at the spatial level. Introducing an element of endogenous innovation dualistic situation emerges. An empirical analysis, using data for the NUTS-2 regions of the European Union seems to confirm this argument.

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