THE BENEFITS OF PROXIMITY TO OPEN SPACE: A CASE OF ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND

Recent research shows the benefit of access to public open space differs by housing density, suggesting that public recreational open space can act as a substitute for private open space. We explore spatial externalities from different forms of open space across housing densities. We also test whether the value of open space varies by neighborhood quality. We find that open space in high priced neighborhood is valued more than open space in low priced neighborhoods. Also, for a given neighborhood quality, we find that not all forms of open space are valued equally by households. Finally, holding neighborhood quality and open space type constant, we find a higher willingness to pay for open space for higher density housing units.