Conditions of Use & Acknowledgement

Conditions of Use & Acknowledgement

This information may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any reselling or sub-licensing is expressly forbidden.

The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.

Please acknowledge the USDA Forest Service and University of Washington for use of any or all slides.

Dr. Kathleen Wolf [e-mail] December 2012

Local Economics

How Trees and Vegetation Connect to Property Values & Retail

Green Cities:
Good Health
science summaries
USDA Forest & University of Washington

City Life & Nearby Nature

• living in urbanized areas > 80% of U.S. population > 50% of all people in the world
• urban nature & greening = parks, gardens, trees, small landscapes, the urban forest, natural areas

Science about Nature Benefits

• environmental services air quality stormwater management energy savings
• economic value & savings
• social benefits public health (eg. physical activity) mental health & function children in nature

Social Benefit Local Economics

• monetary values are important in community decision making
• ‘what is not counted does not count’
• urban vegetation rarely produces marketable goods, yet can provide many measurable services and benefits
• nonmarket valuation methods can represent natural assets

The Source?

Research Portal

• database of research articles
• > 2,200 peer reviewed articles
• sorted into benefits themes
• providing web-based products

www.greenhealth.washington.edu

Datasheet

• research highlights
• one page briefing
• print & share

Acknowledgements

Sponsors:
University of Washington
USDA Forest Service Natl Urban & Community Forestry Advisory Council
NGO partners
Thanks to University of Washington students:
Katrina Flora, B.A.
Mary Ann Rozance, M.S.
Project Director:
Kathleen Wolf, Ph.D.

back to …. Local Economics

quality canopy cover & landscape are tied to higher economic values in communities . . . . .

research highlights Residential & Homes

• Having larger trees in yards & as street trees can add from 3-15% to home values in neighborhoods. Wolf, 2007, Arborist News
• Average market effect of street trees on all house values across Portland, OR (population 590,000) Donovan and Butry, 2010, Landscape and Urban Planning
• = total value of $1.35 billion
• potentially increasing city’s annual property tax revenues $15.3 million

research highlights Homes Near Parks

• Homes adjacent to naturalistic parks & open spaces are valued 8-20% higher than similar properties
• Positive price effect declines to near zero about ½ mile away Crompton, 2001, PAS Report 502

research highlights Retail & Shoppers

• Shoppers claim to spend 9-12% more for goods & services in central business districts having high quality tree canopy. Wolf, 2005, Journal of Forestry
• CBDs with high quality trees? Shoppers claim they will travel greater distance, for a longer time & spend more time once arriving Wolf, 2005, Journal of Forestry; Wolf, 2003, Journal of Arboriculture

Conclusion

• City trees & urban greening provide many intangible services & benefits
• Quality outdoor environments are part of livable cities
• The economic values of parks, trees, and gardens are measurable
• Planting, management & stewardship are good public investments

For more information:

Green Cities: Good Health
Project Support:
University of Washington
USDA Forest Service
Project Director:
Kathleen Wolf, Ph.D., Research Social Scientist, University of Washington
www.greenhealth.washington.edu

Article Database . . . .