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From the historical Roman road network to modern infrastructure in Italy

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  • Luca De Benedictis
  • Vania Licio
  • Anna Pinna

Abstract

An integrated and widespread road system, like the one built during the Roman Empire in Italy, plays an important role today in facilitating the construction of new infrastructure. This paper investigates the historical path of Roman roads as main determinant of both motorways and railways in the country. The empirical analysis shows how the modern Italian transport infrastructure followed the path traced in ancient times by the Romans in constructing their roads. Being paved and connecting Italy from North to South, consular trajectories lasted in time, representing the starting physical capital for developing the new transport networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca De Benedictis & Vania Licio & Anna Pinna, 2022. "From the historical Roman road network to modern infrastructure in Italy," Papers 2208.06675, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2208.06675
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    1. Fabian Wahl, 2017. "Does European development have Roman roots? Evidence from the German Limes," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 313-349, September.
    2. Stefania Cosci & Loredana Mirra, 2018. "A spatial analysis of growth and convergence in Italian provinces: the role of road infrastructure," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(4), pages 516-527, April.
    3. Giovanni Iuzzolino & Guido Pellegrini & Gianfranco Viesti, 2011. "Convergence among Italian Regions, 1861-2011," Quaderni di storia economica (Economic History Working Papers) 22, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    4. Dincecco, Mark & Federico, Giovanni & Vindigni, Andrea, 2011. "Warfare, Taxation, and Political Change: Evidence from the Italian Risorgimento," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 71(4), pages 887-914, December.
    5. Carlo Ciccarelli & Stefano Fenoaltea, 2013. "Through the magnifying glass: provincial aspects of industrial growth in post-Unification Italy," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 66(1), pages 57-85, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vania Licio, 2023. "The Italian coal shortage: the price of import and distribution, 1861–1911," Cliometrica, Springer;Cliometric Society (Association Francaise de Cliométrie), vol. 17(3), pages 501-532, September.
    2. Davide Fiaschi & Cristiano Ricci, 2023. "The spatial evolution of economic activities and the emergence of cities," Papers 2310.07883, arXiv.org.

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