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Can Commutes Be Used to Test the Spatial Mismatch Hypothesis?

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  • Kelly DeRango

    (W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, 300 S. Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazaoo, Michigan 49007-4686, USA, derango@we.upjohninst.org)

Abstract

This paper uses a simple spatial model of urban employment to demonstrate that the relationship between spatial mismatch and commuting times is indeterminate if employment probabilities decline as the distance from job site to residence increases. Specifically, if employment probabilities decline faster (slower) than a threshold rate, then spatial mismatch will decrease (increase) the commuting times of central-city minorities. Thus, commuting-based tests of the spatial mismatch hypothesis are not just biased but mis-specified because spatial mismatch is theoretically consistent with both the null and alternative hypotheses. Evidence that this concern is empirically important is taken from the `contradictory' findings of recent studies that use commutes to test the spatial mismatch hypothesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelly DeRango, 2001. "Can Commutes Be Used to Test the Spatial Mismatch Hypothesis?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 38(9), pages 1521-1529, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:38:y:2001:i:9:p:1521-1529
    DOI: 10.1080/00420980120076786
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ihlanfeldt, Keith R & Sjoquist, David L, 1990. "Job Accessibility and Racial Differences in Youth Employment Rates," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 80(1), pages 267-276, March.
    2. Gabriel, Stuart A. & Rosenthal, Stuart S., 1996. "Commutes, Neighborhood Effects, and Earnings: An Analysis of Racial Discrimination and Compensating Differentials," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 61-83, July.
    3. Petitte, Ryan A. & Ross, Stephen L., 1999. "Commutes, Neighborhood Effects, and Compensating Differentials: Revisited," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 1-24, July.
    4. David T. Ellwood, 1986. "The Spatial Mismatch Hypothesis: Are There Teenage Jobs Missing in the Ghetto?," NBER Chapters, in: The Black Youth Employment Crisis, pages 147-190, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. John F. Kain, 1968. "Housing Segregation, Negro Employment, and Metropolitan Decentralization," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 82(2), pages 175-197.
    6. Harry J. Holzer, 1991. "The Spatial Mismatch Hypothesis: What Has the Evidence Shown?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 28(1), pages 105-122, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiang Zhou & Xiaohong Chen & Tianran Zhang, 2016. "Impact of Megacity Jobs-Housing Spatial Mismatch on Commuting Behaviors: A Case Study on Central Districts of Shanghai, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-22, January.

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