Digital Infrastructure and Physical Proximity

Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper 13-172/VIII

34 Pages Posted: 19 Oct 2013

See all articles by Emmanouil Tranos

Emmanouil Tranos

University of Birmingham

Peter Nijkamp

VU University of Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics; Tinbergen Institute

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: October 18, 2013

Abstract

Some 2000 years ago, the average annual distance a person would normally travel, was approximately 500 km. The action radius of most people remained rather stable, but it rose gradually after the industrial revolution to some 1820 km (by car, bus, railway or aircraft) in the year 1960. Then, a period of rapid increase started, with almost 4390 km per year in 1990. Clearly, air transport, but also technological advances and changing lifestyles formed the background of this megatrend. Accessibility and proximity have become keywords in understanding the geographical pattern of the 'homo mobilis'. The question is if and how this pattern of physical movement will be affected by the digital revolution.

Keywords: Digital infrastructure, proximity

JEL Classification: O1, L63

Suggested Citation

Tranos, Emmanouil and Nijkamp, Peter, Digital Infrastructure and Physical Proximity (October 18, 2013). Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper 13-172/VIII, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2342146 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2342146

Emmanouil Tranos (Contact Author)

University of Birmingham ( email )

United Kingdom

Peter Nijkamp

VU University of Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
1081HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
+31 20 4446091 (Phone)
+31 20 4445611 (Fax)

Tinbergen Institute

Gustav Mahlerplein 117
Amsterdam, 1082 MS
Netherlands

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
53
Abstract Views
737
Rank
417,019
PlumX Metrics