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

Text (The persistent urbanising effect of refugee camps_ evidence from Tanzania 19852015 Final) - Accepted Version Repository staff only until 20 June 2025. Download (1MB)

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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:	15 Nov 2024 02:09
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/121186

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