Modeling the Clustering of Distribution Centers around Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: location endowments, economies of agglomeration, locked-in logistics and policy implications

This thesis deals with the explanation of why European Distribution Centers (EDCs) cluster around Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. We present and test a new model of the clustering of EDCs around the airport. The Netherlands is an attractive location for EDCs. Approximately one-half of all EDCs in Europe are located in The Netherlands. Schiphol represents an important concentration of EDCs. The amount and nature of distribution centers located in the surrounding areas of Schiphol is a prime concern for Dutch policymakers because of two reasons. First, attracting EDCs means attracting all kinds of international goods flows, investments and employment. Second, EDCs are space demanding while the amount of open space available outside the airport is limited and earmarked for airport-dependent (or airport-related) firms. However, it is unknown whether the right locations are allocated to the right distribution centers and whether a bad location policy has long-lasting bad effects. The explanation of why economic activities cluster around airports is important for location theory and location policy regarding airport regions. The traditional answer to the question why distribution centers cluster around Schiphol is that they are attracted to the airport due to the importance of having air transport services at their disposal. However, we show that this is only a partial answer. The main message of our study is that the clustering of EDCs near Schiphol needs to be accompanied by new insights concerning location policy.

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