Fournier, Elisabeth2017-05-292017-05-292017-04-30http://hdl.handle.net/10393/36132https://doi.org/10.20381/ruor-20412This paper analyzes the effect of transportation hubs on economic centrality and four economic and social welfare variables. To do so, we construct the economic centrality variable using a weighted-network approach. We then study its determinants, focusing on whether transportation hubs have an impact on the economic integration of a province. We infer that transportation hubs do have a positive effect on economic centrality. These determinants are then implemented in the analysis of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, life expectancy, share of the labor force with a secondary education, and infant mortality rate. Our results show that life expectancy and share of the labor force with a secondary education are both positively affected by transportation hubs. On the other hand, we discover that not all methods of transportation have a positive impact on GDP per capita. Lastly, we find that some, but not all, of the determinants of economic centrality explain infant mortality rates.enResearch Paper