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    Colonial origins of agglomeration: Evidence from Malayan rail stations

    Access Status
    In process
    Authors
    Liew, Y.W.
    Rahman, Habib
    Siah, A.K.L.
    Date
    2025
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Liew, Y.W. and Rahman, M.H. and Siah, A.K.L. 2025. Colonial origins of agglomeration: Evidence from Malayan rail stations. Economic History Review.
    Source Title
    Economic History Review
    DOI
    10.1111/ehr.70012
    ISSN
    0013-0117
    Faculty
    Faculty of Business and Law
    School
    School of Accounting, Economics and Finance
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/97453
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    This study examines how historical rail stations condition long-run development using Colonial Malaya as a laboratory. By constructing novel historical data on rail stations, agglomeration centres, tin mines, and rubber plantations dating back a century and matching contemporary data on economic activity at the 1-km cell level, we find that regions with earlier access to rail stations exhibit higher levels of economic activity today, owing to agglomeration economies. These results persist even in regions that have abandoned colonial stations. This study highlights the role of investment in transport infrastructure in accelerating local economic activity.

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