Today in the economic environment of each country there are some important factors which make the economy on the growth road, among these factors is the infrastructure and mobility (internally and externally), in the period of industrialization the mobility of resources, raw materials and freights was expensive because of the limitation of mobility access; the primary aim of discovering new ways and systems to an easy and cheap mobility was earning more and more benefits.
Establishing new ways to transport easy and cheap was the discovering the rail ways to move passengers and freights among the cities first and the countries after, this new way of transporting made a huge distributing of the economic growth in those pioneer countries, which distributed changing public policies of more and more countries toward establishing the new transport manner, deciding to establish a new railways systems distributed to bring more investments and benefits to the investors and the productivity and growing GDP per capita of those countries.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction of New Rail Systems in Developed Regions
USA Case
Railroad and Economic Impact in Regions Initially without Railroad Systems
China Case: Railroad Expansion in Developing Countries
The Nigeria Case: Railway and Agricultural Growth
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the relationship between the establishment of railway infrastructure and regional economic development. It explores whether transport improvements act as a catalyst for economic growth or if they are merely a response to existing economic activity, utilizing case studies from both developed and developing regions to identify key economic impacts.
- Analysis of High-Speed Rail (HSR) and its economic implications in developed nations like the USA and China.
- Investigation of the nexus between transport infrastructure and regional economic mass.
- Historical evaluation of the role of railways in agricultural growth in Nigeria.
- Assessment of the mutual influence between transport networks and urban or industrial productivity.
Excerpt from the Book
The Nigeria Case: Railway and Agricultural Growth
The British colonial leadership in Nigeria realized that the more efficient the areas of supply and demand could be connected, the less important distances would be from the economic standpoint. The British specifically relied majorly on rail systems to form the important connection between the internal and external ports.
One major advocate of railway utilization in Nigeria’s economic of growth was Sir F. D. Lugard. Discussing the potential of trade in the Nigeria’s Northern region, Lugard (1906) wroter: “…until better transport is arranged and the Iron horse takes the place of human carriers, Northern Nigeria cannot possibly realise the hopes and wishes of those who are assured of the great future before it.” Again, referring to the Zungeru-Barijuko Light Railway that was started a year before, he argued that the extension of this line would “render possible the export of cotton and other produce grown in the Nupe Province and in Southern Zaria” (Northern Nigeria, 1902, p. 58).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the debate regarding whether transportation development drives economic growth or follows it, introducing the comparative case study approach.
Introduction of New Rail Systems in Developed Regions: Evaluates HSR technology in the USA and China, discussing accessibility, urban land-use changes, and agglomeration economies.
USA Case: Analyzes the hub-and-spoke network design and its spatial impacts on major urban centers versus peripheral locations.
Railroad and Economic Impact in Regions Initially without Railroad Systems: Sets the stage for investigating underdeveloped contexts where rail was introduced to regions lacking prior infrastructure.
China Case: Railroad Expansion in Developing Countries: Discusses the relationship between economic mass, productivity, and high-speed rail development within the Guangdong region.
The Nigeria Case: Railway and Agricultural Growth: Documents the historical impact of railway construction on agricultural productivity and export growth in early 20th-century Nigeria.
Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, noting that a mutual relationship exists between transport infrastructure and economic development, though causation remains complex.
Keywords
Railway, Economic Development, High-Speed Rail, Infrastructure, Agglomeration, Economic Mass, Nigeria, USA, China, Transportation, Productivity, Exports, Agricultural Growth, Regional Economics, Connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The paper examines the causal relationship between the establishment of railway infrastructure and economic development in various international contexts.
What are the primary thematic areas covered in this work?
The study focuses on high-speed rail in developed nations, economic agglomeration in developing regions like China, and the historical impact of colonial-era railways on agriculture in Nigeria.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The goal is to determine if railway construction acts as a catalyst for economic growth or if it is a byproduct of pre-existing economic development.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a qualitative approach, relying on comparative case studies and literature analysis of historical and economic data from the USA, China, and Nigeria.
What topics are discussed in the main section?
The main section covers the economic theory of 'economic mass', the spatial effects of hub-and-spoke rail designs, and detailed historical data on how rail facilitated agricultural exports in Nigeria.
How would you characterize the paper's key terminology?
The paper is defined by terms such as 'agglomeration economies', 'spatial impacts', 'economic mass', and 'transportation infrastructure'.
What specific finding does the author highlight regarding the Nigeria case?
The author notes that railway construction was instrumental in transforming Nigeria's agricultural sector by connecting production hubs to coastal ports, effectively stimulating export growth.
How does the author evaluate the impact of HSR in the USA?
The research suggests that HSR impacts in the USA are context-dependent and often focus on connecting established major urban centers rather than fostering widespread peripheral economic growth.
What does the conclusion suggest about the future of such research?
The conclusion suggests that while a mutual relationship exists, future research must continue to untangle the complex causal links between transport investment and specific economic variables like employment.
- Quote paper
- Nawshirwan Rashid (Author), 2015, Effects of Establishing New Railroad on the Economic Development, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/302550
