Investigating the Urbanization Spatial Spillover effects on Economic Growth in Iranian Provinces (Spatial Dynamic Panel Data)

Cities play an important role in population distribution and economic growth. One of the aspects addressed in the urban economics literature is the relationship between urbanization and economic growth. Urbanization is the relationship between population, employment, migration and environment, Given that the economic growth of a geographical area is affected by variables and the effects of overflows of other areas, especially its neighbors, in addition to the spatial dependence created through these variables, the effects that are common to all geographical areas also cause correlation in economic growth of units. They become geographical, so it is necessary to differentiate between the dependence created by these factors and the spatial dependence caused by the spatial effects of variables, because otherwise the role of spatial effects will be more colorful than it really is. Therefore, to control these effects, spatial patterns were estimated once without these effects and once with these effects in 30 provinces of Iran. The results show that even considering the effects of common factors, there is still a positive autocorrelation. There is a gap between the economic growth of the provinces of the country . Results of applying the effects of common factors show is that considering these effects has reduced the intensity of the spatial effect. Also, the results of estimating the dynamic spatial Durbin model indicate that the relationship between urbanization and economic growth of Iranian provinces is inverted U and the effects of urban spillover on economic growth. Neighboring provinces are positive and meaningful.