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The persistent urbanising effect of refugee camps: evidence from Tanzania, 1985–2015

Nsababera, Olive, Dickens, Richard and Disney, Richard (2023) The persistent urbanising effect of refugee camps: evidence from Tanzania, 1985–2015. Spatial Economic Analysis. ISSN 1742-1772

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Identification Number: 10.1080/17421772.2023.2274859

Abstract

With the rise of forced displacement, attention has turned to the economic impact of refugees. However, few studies investigate long-term impacts. We use data for Tanzania for the period 1985–2015 to examine the effect of camps on urbanisation and local development, exploiting a unique satellite-derived dataset of high spatial resolution and temporal frequency. We show a modest but significant effect of refugee camps on built-up area up to a 100 km distance. We then match camp locations to regional gross domestic product, local consumption spending and employment patterns. Output in areas with camps grew at a faster rate during camp operation, but closure of camps was associated with change in economic activity. Activity induced by camps is largely in non-tradeable goods and services rather than inducing longer run structural transformation.

Item Type: Article
Official URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/rsea20
Additional Information: © 2023 Regional Studies Association
Divisions: Centre for Economic Performance
Subjects: J Political Science > JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
JEL classification: J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J6 - Mobility, Unemployment, and Vacancies > J61 - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O15 - Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
R - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics > R1 - General Regional Economics > R12 - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade
R - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics > R1 - General Regional Economics > R14 - Land Use Patterns
Date Deposited: 08 Jan 2024 09:09
Last Modified: 01 Nov 2024 01:33
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/121186

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