Spatial distribution of income in cities. Polycentric structure of employment, amenities and spatial effects

This study investigates from a theoretical point of view the spatial distribution of households by income within metropolitan areas, focusing on three key determinants: the polycentric structure of employment, the spatial distribution and accessibility of public amenities, and the presence of spatial interdependencies. Utilizing a novel and comprehensive dataset, we endogenously identify employment centers within the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (BMA). After incorporating this polycentric employment structure and the availability of public amenities—such as educational institutions, healthcare facilities, childcare centers, and transportation infrastructure—we extend conventional empirical models to account for spatial effects. These effects capture the externalities inherent in residential location choices, particularly the tendency of households to cluster with others of similar income levels. Employing spatial regression techniques, we empirically assess the influence of these factors on household location patterns. The results reveal that employment subcenters exert a significant effect on residential location decisions, that certain public amenities play a statistically significant role, and that neighborhood income level functions as endogenous amenities, further shaping the spatial distribution of income.