Date of Award
Spring 2024
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Advisor(s)
Patricia Gómez González
Abstract
This thesis examines the economic impacts of high-speed rail (HSR) infrastructure on rural communities across Spain, employing Extremadura—a region with economic challenges and limited transportation infrastructure—as a focal point for discussion. Utilizing a difference-in differences (DiD) approach, this study comprehensively assesses HSR's influence on various economic indicators, including GDP, population, employment, exports, number of firms, and tourism, comparing provinces with HSR access to those without. Contrary to initial expectations, the analysis identifies no statistically significant impact of HSR on these economic metrics across the board. These findings indicate that HSR, while a significant infrastructural endeavor, does not autonomously catalyze economic growth or substantially alter the economic indicators examined. The lack of discernible economic advantages from HSR deployment underscores the necessity for a holistic approach to economic development that extends beyond high-speed rail infrastructure. This research enriches the dialogue on rural economic development and infrastructure investment, underscoring the intricacies of utilizing HSR as a tool for economic rejuvenation. Although the empirical analysis is not exclusive to Extremadura, the region's specific challenges and opportunities exemplify the broader implications for similar rural areas worldwide. The study's insights suggest that infrastructure investments must be part of a larger, strategic development plan to achieve sustainable economic growth, offering crucial lessons for other rural economies considering similar infrastructural investments.
Recommended Citation
Hyneman, Mitchell, "Rails To Riches? Assessing The Impact Of High-Speed Trains On The Economic Development Of Rural Communities" (2024). Gabelli School of Business Honors Thesis Collection. 153.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/gabelli_thesis/153
