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Forest density preferences of homebuyers in the wildland-urban interface

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  • Hjerpe, Evan
  • Kim, Yeon-Su
  • Dunn, Leah

Abstract

In the fire-prone Western U.S., the scale of surrounding forest density can be realized by homebuyers as an amenity for aesthetics and cooling effects, or as a disamenity in terms of wildfire risk. There has been a lack of academic attention to understanding this duality of forest density preferences for homebuyers in at-risk Wildland Urban Interfaces (WUIs). To fill this gap, we investigated the influence of forest density on WUI house sales in four high fire-risk zones in dry, mixed conifer forests of the Western U.S with a spatial hedonic pricing model. Explanatory attributes related to house structure, neighborhood, and environmental amenities were assessed, along with a set of WUI variables that included forest density ranges at two buffer levels— a 100m radius level and a 500m radius level. Results indicate a strong preference for lower forest density at the 100m level, but a countering preference for higher forest density at the larger 500m buffer. These findings suggest the need to reconsider broad approaches in public awareness campaigns and regional planning, as well as fire management policies and strategies. Preference for higher density forests implies that if left to homeowners, fuel treatments in public spaces will be underinvested.

Suggested Citation

  • Hjerpe, Evan & Kim, Yeon-Su & Dunn, Leah, 2016. "Forest density preferences of homebuyers in the wildland-urban interface," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 56-66.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:70:y:2016:i:c:p:56-66
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2016.05.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zambrano-Monserrate, Manuel A. & Ruano, María Alejandra & Yoong-Parraga, Cristina & Silva, Carlos A., 2021. "Urban green spaces and housing prices in developing countries: A Two-stage quantile spatial regression analysis," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    2. Kim, Yeon-Su & Rodrigues, Marcos & Robinne, François-Nicolas, 2021. "Economic drivers of global fire activity: A critical review using the DPSIR framework," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    3. Marta Sylla & Tadeusz Lasota & Szymon Szewrański, 2019. "Valuing Environmental Amenities in Peri-Urban Areas: Evidence from Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-15, January.

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