The Effects of Transport Improvements on Economy and Development: a Research in Example of Konya High-Speed Rail

Abstract

In the last two decades, a major question in “Economic Geography” has experienced that growth of regions is related to the scale and nature of transport infrastructure’s contribution to the broader economy. Since the effects of transport infrastructure investments has sought to go beyond direct benefits resulting from the reduction in transport costs, understanding of the general economic effects generated by changes in transport infrastructure quality has taken on greater importance. However, it has not been possible to reach a general consensus on the typology, magnitude and way of the mechanisms that operate in this relationship, although theoretical and practical discussions coincide with affirming the existence of causal mechanisms between transport infrastructure and economic activities. This causal relationship may have different economic effects due to the variability of the other factors that define the particular economic behaviour of each geographical area. Upon on an accessibility approach, this paper aims to identify and analyze the effects of transport infrastructure investment in economic growth at regional level in Turkey. In this study, Konya High Speed Rail (KHSR) providing fast access to and from major metropolises such as Ankara and Istanbul has been chosen as the case study since Konya has experienced significant economic developments, together with the high speed train connection.