Aging, Gender and Neighbourhood Determinants of Distance Traveled: A Multilevel Analysis in the Hamilton CMA

The objective of this study is to investigate the determinants of mean trip distance traveled by different mode types. The study uses data from the Hamilton CMA in Canada, and multilevel models to investigate demographic aging factors, gender differentials, and neighbourhood attributes on distance traveled. The results of the study validate previous findings regarding the decline in distance traveled as age advances. In addition, it is found that: 1) While this effect of age is present for all modes analyzed (car-driving, car-passenger, and bus) it is considerably more marked for car-driving; 2) There are significant gender effects compounded by the interrelated factors of employment constraints, household dynamics, and greater reliance on travel modes other than car driving; and 3) Neighbourhoods with high commercial and residential mix showed a negative relation with distance traveled only in the case of car-driver.distance traveled, aging, elderly, gender, neighbourhood influence, multilevel analysis

Computational Economics: Help for the Underestimated Undergraduate

Our concern in this paper is that the capability of economics undergraduates is substantially underestimated in the design of the present college curriculum and that our students are insufficiently challenged and motivated. Students enter our classrooms with substantial previous knowledge about computers and computation and we are not taking full advantage of this opportunity. We suggest a set of examples from computational economics which are challenging enough to motivate students and simple enough that they can master them within a few hours. By encouraging the students to modify the models in directions of their own interest avenues for creative endeavor are opened which deeply involve the students in their own education.teaching computational economics

Policy Areas Impinging on Elderly Transportation Mobility: An Explanation with Ontario, Canada as Example

As countries face the challenges posed by rising numbers of older persons, the need to reassess their respective policies to address transport needs in aging societies is increasingly recognized in relation to health and sustainability goals. This paper proposes the examination of six interrelated policy areas affecting elderly mobility in a country or administrative region. A general survey of policy developments in each of these areas could improve current strategies and existing processes in the planning and implementation of mobility services that will be responsive to both elderly and the general population now and in the future. These include: 1) general transport policy framework; 2) travel mode preference; 3) alternative transport infrastructure stock and investments; 4) housing-land-use-transportation linkage; 5) research and technology applications that improve travel mode and environment; and 6) institutional and legal reforms. These policy areas are discussed and given concrete elucidation in the case of Ontario, Canada. Reflections and recommendations for further research and policy action deemed critical in the case region are highlighted.transportation, aging, regional policy, Canada

Optimizacion dinamica restringida en economia: metodos matematicos e implementacion en el general algebraic modeling system

The paper presents mathematical methods of deterministic optimal control in continuous time and stochastic dynamic programming in discrete time, and computational techniques for their implementation in the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). The methods and their computational implementations are exemplified with intertemporal models of economic growth

Growth analysis in developing countries: empirical issues and a small dynamic model

Most developing countries are small open economies; they have quite limited absorptive capacity for new physical and human capital; face credit constraints in international financial markets; and, last but not least, they are usually far from the steady state. Thus, transitional dynamics starting from actual initial conditions matters, and matters a lot. To account for these features in the simplest way, we develop a small intertemporal model suitable for growth analysis in developing countries. We discuss each model equation, variable and parameter from an empirical point of view; we analyze the model’s main dynamic features; and we present illustrative simulations for a “typical” developing economy. We find a rich transitional dynamics induced by the existence of absorptive capacity functions and a foreign debt constraint. We also find that for many relevant variables and parameters there are still problems of lack of data and estimates. Thus, a good deal of empirical work on these issues is needed to make growth analysis in developing countries operational for applied policy analysis

Growth analysis in developing countries: empirical issues and a small dynamic model

Most developing countries are small open economies; they have quite limited absorptive capacity for new physical and human capital; face credit constraints in international financial markets; and, last but not least, they are usually far from the steady state. Thus, transitional dynamics starting from actual initial conditions matters, and matters a lot. To account for these features in the simplest way, we develop a small intertemporal model suitable for growth analysis in developing countries. We discuss each model equation, variable and parameter from an empirical point of view; we analyze the model’s main dynamic features; and we present illustrative simulations for a “typical” developing economy. We find a rich transitional dynamics induced by the existence of absorptive capacity functions and a foreign debt constraint. We also find that for many relevant variables and parameters there are still problems of lack of data and estimates. Thus, a good deal of empirical work on these issues is needed to make growth analysis in developing countries operational for applied policy analysis

Development planning in the xxi century? a note on old and new methods and tools

The recent crisis of the Washington Consensus has brought with it the return of the involvement of the state in the development process in a number of countries. However, a lot of water has run under the bridge since the golden years of development planning. In this note we review the main methods and tools of development planning applied during those years, we evaluate their contemporary relevance, and we discuss the potential usefulness of newer tools to deal with some essential characteristics of the development process such as intertemporal dynamics, uncertainty and institutional innovation. We also review the theoretical and political changes that went along with the ups and downs of development planning

Development planning in the xxi century? a note on old and new methods and tools

The recent crisis of the Washington Consensus has brought with it the return of the involvement of the state in the development process in a number of countries. However, a lot of water has run under the bridge since the golden years of development planning. In this note we review the main methods and tools of development planning applied during those years, we evaluate their contemporary relevance, and we discuss the potential usefulness of newer tools to deal with some essential characteristics of the development process such as intertemporal dynamics, uncertainty and institutional innovation. We also review the theoretical and political changes that went along with the ups and downs of development planning

Optimizacion estatica restringida en economia: metodos, algoritmos e implementacion en el general algebraic modeling system

The paper presents methods of linear and nonlinear mathematical programming and their computational implementation in the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). It also presents economic examples and introduces a number of solution algorithms: simplex, gradient, Newton and penalties

Optimizacion estatica restringida en economia: metodos, algoritmos e implementacion en el general algebraic modeling system

The paper presents methods of linear and nonlinear mathematical programming and their computational implementation in the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). It also presents economic examples and introduces a number of solution algorithms: simplex, gradient, Newton and penalties