MODELING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TIME–DISTANCE ACCESSIBILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

type="main"> This study explores the commonly held view that high time–distance accessibility to major concentrations of economic activity is positively correlated with economic performance. The study reveals the difficulty of exploring the correlation in a complex space economy where there are multiple nodes of economic concentration. Although we cannot conclude definitively on this correlation nationwide, we are able to show positive relationships within sub-national economies, and also in relation to particular dimensions of accessibility, such as time–distance to major mobility corridors and immediate spatial proximity to metropolitan economies and international border crossings.