Urban Efficiency, Productivity, and Economic Development
论述城市通过规模经济和范围经济促进生产率提升和经济发展，强调政府需明确产权、投资基础设施，并通过成本收益分析和用户收费实现高效运营。
Cities are crucial for economic development. Their size and density permit economies of scale and scope that are prerequisites to growth. The best jobs and highest earnings are found there. The growth of urban areas makes efficient production possible and encourages the adoption of new technology. The development of modern industrial, service, and nonprofit sectors takes place there. In order to attain their full potential it is important that cities operate efficiently. Observers sometimes attribute urban problems in developing countries to the private sector's limited scope and autonomy. Overregulation is seen as slowing growth and impairing production. The efficient operation of private markets requires government to specify property rights and provide for land ownership and transfer. City governments must also invest in physical infrastructure to provide services that are essential to residents. Infrastructure planning and provision should, for the most part, be locally planned and financed after careful cost-benefit analysis. User fees can be valuable in financing needed infrastructure and in reducing the temptation of local governments to overbuild. The need to finance local government spending from local sources is an incentive to authorities to act in the interest of their beneficiaries.