Impact of Road Transportation Network Infrastructure on Regional Development in Kenya

Abstract

In this study we review literature related to impacts of road transport infrastructure on regional development. We identify the indicators used to measure regional development from existing literature and further correlate it with road network concentration. Spatial metrics have been used to assess the correlation of road infrastructure network and regional development indicators which is further informed with economic models, spatial location theories and the Tobler's first law of geography. From the study, there is a positive correlation between regional development and road transport infrastructure indicators with an R 2 of 0.35. The selected indicators are County Domestic Product (CDP) and Kernel Density (KD) has been used to assess the clustering of road network in various regions hence generating a heat map. Moran's I has been used to calculate the likelihood of spillover effect of the road transport infrastructure network. Central Kenya has been identified to have high concentration of network and has possible spillover effect when it comes to development. This study contributes to regional science theory by applying integrated approach where both econometric and locational models have been used to understand Kenya road transport network and its implication to regional development patterns.