Matthew A Turner

Matthew A Turner is a Professor of Economics at Brown University, specializing in urban economics, environmental policy, and transportation infrastructure. He holds a PhD from Brown University and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on land use patterns, urbanization dynamics, and infrastructure impacts, particularly examining how transportation networks influence city growth and development.

He has been affiliated with institutions such as the Population Studies Training Center, the International Growth Center, and the Property and Environment Research Center. Turner teaches courses on urban economics, environmental policy, and applied economic analysis. His work explores topics like the relationship between public transit and urban sprawl, the effects of land transfer taxes, and the role of infrastructure in economic growth.

Key research areas include transportation policy, smart growth initiatives, and the economic significance of large cities. His findings challenge conventional assumptions, such as the belief that subways reduce urban sprawl, instead showing they may spread urban areas due to reduced mobility costs. Turner’s studies often combine historical analysis with modern data, such as examining 19th-century Chicago infrastructure or contemporary Chinese urbanization patterns.