A Smart Growth Bibliography:

Impacts on the Natural Environment - Open Space

Correll, M.R., J.H. Lillydahl and L.D. Singell. The Effects of Greenbelts on Residential Property Values: Some Findings on the Political Economy of Open Space. Land Economics, 54: 207-17, 1978.
Summary: The paper examines the benefit which is associated with the increased property values adjacent to greenbelts in Boulder, Colorado. In addition to a theoretical model, empirical data from three greenbelt areas is examined, and policy implications of the findings are discussed. The analysis suggests that the existence of greenbelts may have a significant impact on adjacent property values. Paper (11 pages).

King, D.A., J.L. White and W.W. Shaw. Influence of Urban Wildlife Habitats on the Value of Residential Properties. In Wildlife Conservation in Metropolitan Environments, edited by L.W. Adams and D.L. Leedy, Columbia, MD: National Institute for Urban Wildlife, 165-9, 1991.
Summary: The study investigates the influence of proximity to wildlife habitat on the value of single family residential properties in the Tucson, Arizona urban area. The study results present evidence of a positive influence of natural open space and some kinds of wildlife habitats on property values. Paper (5 pages).

Lacy, J. An Examination of Market Appreciation for Clustered Housing with Permanent Open Space, Amherst, MA: Center for Rural Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts, 1990.
Summary:

RPA, Regional Plan Association. Where the Pavement Ends. New York, New York: RPA 1987.
Summary: Discusses the need for more contiguous open space in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut metropolitan region.

Tetra Tech. Economic Benefits of Greenways, Draft Report, August 7, 1995.
Summary: The report explains the intrinsic environmental and economic benefits of greenway corridors. Examples of how greenways have directly and indirectly benefitted local and regional economies are provided. Draft Report (23 pages).

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Economic Impacts of Protecting Rivers, Trails and Greenway Corridors - A Resource Book, National Park Service, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance, fourth edition, revised, 1995.
Summary: Resource book to encourage local citizens to use economic concepts in promoting and protecting greenways. Case studies are provided that demonstrate the economic benefits of river, trail, and greenway projects. In addition, guidance is provided for estimating the economic impacts of such projects. (140 pages)

Back to Top

PLEASE NOTE: Some of the documents listed in this bibliography are provided as files that
you may download. To read "PDF" files, Acrobat software is required, available free from Adobe.

Webmaster: info@smartgrowth.org