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The Left Brain of North American Cities

Author

Listed:
  • Desmond Beckstead

    (Micro-Economic Studies and Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, des.beckstead@statcan.ca)

  • W. Mark Brown

    (Micro-Economic Studies and Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, mark.brown@statcan.ca)

  • Guy Gellatly

    (Micro-Economic Studies and Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, guy.gellatly@statcan.ca)

Abstract

Using pooled Census of Population data for 242 metropolitan areas, this paper evaluates the link between long-run employment growth and the supply of different types of skilled labor. It also examines factors related to the growth of a particular type of skilled labor—workers in science and engineering occupations. The first part of the article investigates the contribution of broad and specialized forms of human capital to long-run changes in urban employment from 1980 to 2000. It places particular emphasis on workers in science and engineering and culture occupations. The second part of the article focuses on factors that influence the growth of science and engineering employment across metropolitan areas. It examines whether the scientific capabilities of cities are influenced by amenities such as the size of the local cultural sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Desmond Beckstead & W. Mark Brown & Guy Gellatly, 2008. "The Left Brain of North American Cities," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 31(3), pages 304-338, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:inrsre:v:31:y:2008:i:3:p:304-338
    DOI: 10.1177/0160017608318521
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jesse M. Shapiro, 2006. "Smart Cities: Quality of Life, Productivity, and the Growth Effects of Human Capital," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 88(2), pages 324-335, May.
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    3. Edward Ludwig Glaeser & Albert Saiz, 2003. "The rise of the skilled city," Working Papers 04-2, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
    4. John M. Quigley, 1998. "Urban Diversity and Economic Growth," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 12(2), pages 127-138, Spring.
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    7. repec:rre:publsh:v:36:y:2006:i:2:p:239-53 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Beckstead, Desmond Brown, W. Mark, 2006. "Innovation Capabilities: Comparing Science and Engineering Employment in Canadian and U.S. Cities," The Canadian Economy in Transition 2006012e, Statistics Canada, Economic Analysis Division.
    9. Beckstead, Desmond Gellatly, Guy, 2006. "Innovation Capabilities: Science and Engineering Employment in Canada and the United States," The Canadian Economy in Transition 2006011e, Statistics Canada, Economic Analysis Division.
    10. Lucas, Robert Jr., 1988. "On the mechanics of economic development," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 3-42, July.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Olfert, R. & Berdegué, J. & Escobal, J. & Jara, B. & Modrego, F., 2011. "Places for Place-Based Policies," Working papers 079, Rimisp Latin American Center for Rural Development.
    2. Margaret Olfert & Mark Partridge, 2011. "Creating the Cultural Community: Ethnic Diversity vs. Agglomeration," Spatial Economic Analysis, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 25-55.
    3. Todd Gabe & Jaison Abel & Adrienne Ross & Kevin Stolarick, 2012. "Knowledge in Cities," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(6), pages 1179-1200, May.
    4. Mark D. Partridge & Dan S. Rickman & M. Rose Olfert & Ying Tan, 2015. "When Spatial Equilibrium Fails: Is Place-Based Policy Second Best?," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(8), pages 1303-1325, August.
    5. Annekatrin Niebuhr & Tanja Buch & Silke Hamann & Anja Rossen, 2012. "Jobs or Amenities – What determines the migration balances of cities?," ERSA conference papers ersa12p401, European Regional Science Association.
    6. Martijn J. Smit, 2017. "Innovation through new blood," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 58(3), pages 543-578, May.
    7. W. Mark Brown & Darren M. Scott, 2012. "Human Capital Location Choice: Accounting For Amenities And Thick Labor Markets," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(5), pages 787-808, December.
    8. Yaqin Su & Yue Hua & Xiaobo Liang, 2019. "Toward Job or Amenity?: Evaluating the Locational Choice of Internal Migrants in China," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 42(5-6), pages 400-430, September.
    9. Rahel Falk & Hasan Bakhshi & Martin Falk & Wilhelm Geiger & Susanne Karr & Catherine Keppel & Hannes Leo & Roland Spitzlinger, 2011. "Innovation and Competitiveness of the Creative Industries," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 41510.
    10. Emanuela Marrocu & Raffaele Paci, 2013. "Regional Development and Creativity," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 36(3), pages 354-391, July.
    11. Rikard H Eriksson & Høgni Kalsø Hansen, 2013. "Industries, Skills, and Human Capital: How Does Regional Size Affect Uneven Development?," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 45(3), pages 593-613, March.
    12. M. Olfert & Murray Jelinski & Dimitrios Zikos & John Campbell, 2012. "Human capital drift up the urban hierarchy: veterinarians in Western Canada," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 49(2), pages 551-570, October.
    13. Hong, Junpyo, 2011. "The Role of Amenities in a Regional Economy: A Meta-Analysis Approach," Journal of Rural Development/Nongchon-Gyeongje, Korea Rural Economic Institute, vol. 34(5), pages 1-27, December.

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