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Open space amenities: Is closer better?

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  • Temel, Anna
  • Thiel, Patrick
  • Vance, Colin

Abstract

The value of open space is often reflected by the higher prices of the homes located in its proximity. But is closer always better? We examine this question by estimating a hedonic regression using pooled crosssectional data from Germany spanning 2007 until 2023. We distinguish two types of open space, parks and protected areas (PAs), and explore heterogeneity in the effects of the latter according to prevailing environmental attitudes, as measured by the share of the Green party vote. Results suggests that increasing distance to parks substantially decreases home prices, with the magnitude of the effect weakening as distance increases. Increasing distance to PAs likewise decreases home prices, but the effect is smaller and hardly varies by distance. More strikingly, we find a negative effect of PAs on prices for homes located within their boundaries, with no evidence that this effect is mediated by the share of Green voters. One possible explanation is that the restrictions that often accompany PAs may offset their amenity value, irrespective of local political support for conservation, a reaction that planners would be wise to anticipate in siting decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Temel, Anna & Thiel, Patrick & Vance, Colin, 2024. "Open space amenities: Is closer better?," Ruhr Economic Papers 1109, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:306839
    DOI: 10.4419/96973287
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gabriel M. Ahlfeldt & Kristoffer Moeller & Sevrin Waights & Nicolai Wendland, 2017. "Game of Zones: The Political Economy of Conservation Areas," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 127(605), pages 421-445, October.
    2. Espey, Molly & Owusu-Edusei, Kwame, 2001. "Neighborhood Parks And Residential Property Values In Greenville, South Carolina," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 33(3), pages 1-6, December.
    3. Bark, Rosalind H. & Osgood, Daniel E. & Colby, Bonnie G. & Halper, Eve B., 2011. "How Do Homebuyers Value Different Types of Green Space?," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 36(2), pages 1-21, August.
    4. Bauer, Thomas K. & Braun, Sebastian T. & Kvasnicka, Michael, 2017. "Nuclear power plant closures and local housing values: Evidence from Fukushima and the German housing market," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 94-106.
    5. Gabriel M. Ahlfeldt & Kristoffer Moeller & Sevrin Waights & Nicolai Wendland, 2017. "Game of Zones: The Political Economy of Conservation Areas," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 127(605), pages 421-445, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Open space; house values; hedonic price framework; valuation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R30 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - General
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects

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