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Valuing the Environmental Benefits of Canals and Canal Restoration Using House Prices

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  • Stephen Gibbons
  • Cong Peng
  • Cheng Keat Tang

Abstract

This article values the environmental benefits of historic, navigable canals using property values. We improve on standard methods by controlling for microgeographic fixed effects and applying a difference-in-differences method to canal restoration. We find a localized price premium within 100 m, around 5% before the 2008 recession, dropping to 3.4% by 2016. These effects are driven by urban canal-side properties with a direct outlook on the canals or immediate access. These locations are also attractive for developers, with a higher proportion of new-build sales. Our estimates suggest that canals generate land value uplift of £0.8–£0.9 billion in England.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Gibbons & Cong Peng & Cheng Keat Tang, 2021. "Valuing the Environmental Benefits of Canals and Canal Restoration Using House Prices," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 97(4), pages 858-874.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:landec:v:97:y:2021:i:4:p:858-874
    Note: DOI: 10.3368/le.97.4.031420-0038R1
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • R21 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Housing Demand

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