International Research Seminar "Spatial aspects of international trade, and regional growth." Presentation by Iakov Kuga.

On November 22, 2012, MSSE was held public research seminar. Report on the theme "National borders and urban growth: Evidence from Alsace and Lorraine annexation" by Iakov Kuga (HSE, SPb).

I.Kuga

On November 21, 2012.
Research Seminar.
Iakov Kuga (HSE, SPb). "National borders and urban growth: Evidence from Alsace and Lorraine annexation".

According to the Treaty of Frankfurt (1871) France lost Alsace and Lorraine. In the paper I estimate how a new border affected a growth of towns. Applying difference-in-differences methodology to census data for 1831-1911, I obtain paradoxical result. New border stimulates growth of nearby towns. Observed effect is turned to be persistent and robust to specification changes. Obtained results are contradicted to both theory and other empirical studies.

The seminar was held at: room 23 (3rd floor), b. 47, pr. Rimskogo-Korsakova, Saint Petersburg.

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