The long-run impact of zoning: Institutional hysteresis and durable capital in Seattle, 1920–2015

B-Tier
Journal: Regional Science and Urban Economics
Year: 2018
Volume: 73
Issue: C
Pages: 155-169

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper examines the coevolution of land use and zoning in Seattle from 1920 to 2015. Multiple waves of zoning and land use conversion data at the parcel level allow for a decomposition of the long-run effects of zoning and an exploration of the mechanisms through which zoning influenced future land use. In particular, I disentangle short-run impacts on land use from long-term institutional hysteresis, showing that the latter played a sizable role in shaping future land use. Additionally, data on variances allows me to examine early compliance levels, an underexplored topic with implications for long-run impacts. While much has been written about persistence in urban form due to purely economic forces, relatively little research has explored how institutional forces can entrench or alter this trajectory, and I find that such institutional constraints can have substantial influence.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:regeco:v:73:y:2018:i:c:p:155-169
Journal Field
Urban
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29