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Not too close, not too far: urban parks and subjective well-being in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia

Author

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  • Andrés Vargas

    (Universidad del Norte)

  • Paola Roldán

    (Universidad del Norte)

Abstract

This article studies the relationship between life satisfaction and distance from the place of residence to the nearest urban park in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia. Using self-reported information on life satisfaction and spatial data on park location, we find a significant, inverted U-shaped effect of distance to urban parks on wellbeing. If distance to the urban park is too large, then the positive effects of the park cannot be enjoyed as much; but, if distance is too short, then negative effects due to noise, congestion or fear of crime may occur and outweigh the positive effects of the park. In general, results suggest that parks improve the welfare of urban populations and that their potential effect is greater if the factors that generate disutility to nearby residents are intervened.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrés Vargas & Paola Roldán, 2018. "Not too close, not too far: urban parks and subjective well-being in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia," Lecturas de Economía, Universidad de Antioquia, Departamento de Economía, issue 88, pages 183-205, Enero - J.
    • Handle: RePEc:lde:journl:y:2018:i:88:p:183-205
    DOI: 10.17533/udea.le.n88a06
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    life satisfaction; happiness; urban parks; willingness to pay;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics
    • R20 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - General

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