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Not too close, not too far: Urbanisation and life satisfaction along the urban hierarchy

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  • Camilla Lenzi

    (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)

  • Giovanni Perucca

    (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)

Abstract

Empirical evidence on the effect of urbanisation on individual self-reported well-being generally points to a negative effect of urbanisation and city size, at least in most developed economies. This article aims to re-assess this conclusion by claiming that this approach overlooks the fact that a city’s positive externalities may expand well beyond the urban boundaries, as postulated in urban economics theory. Based on survey data on self-reported life satisfaction derived from different waves of Eurobarometer surveys in the period 2005–2010 covering 21 European Union member countries, the article empirically verifies the existence of a positive association between urbanisation and individual well-being, depending on the proximity to settings of higher rank in the urban hierarchy. In particular, it shows that the higher the distance from a city larger than the one of residence of the respondent, the lower the probability of being satisfied with life.

Suggested Citation

  • Camilla Lenzi & Giovanni Perucca, 2021. "Not too close, not too far: Urbanisation and life satisfaction along the urban hierarchy," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 58(13), pages 2742-2757, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:58:y:2021:i:13:p:2742-2757
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098020962397
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    1. Cristina Bernini & Alessandro Tampieri, 2022. "The Mediating Role of Urbanization on the Composition of Happiness," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 101(3), pages 639-657, June.
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    4. Camilla Lenzi & Giovanni Perucca, 2022. "No Place for Poor Men: On the Asymmetric Effect of Urbanization on Life Satisfaction," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 164(1), pages 165-187, November.

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