Spatial Equilibria of Knowledge Production with ‘Meeting-Facilities’

One of the essential roles of the Agora in ancient Athens was to serve as a meeting place. The Agora consisted of an open square surrounded by a collection of buildings, which formed a focal point for the citizens’ social interactions. The Agora was the civic centre for all. The activities surrounding the Agora, e.g., taverns, amusement places, etc. used to have social properties beyond their primary objectives. One of the central properties of the Agora was that of a collective good shared by all. The Agora, however, was not merely a public good. It was also a significant device to catalyze social interactions which facilitate the diffusion of new knowledge and information among citizens.