Working Paper: NBER ID: w31554
Authors: Jianwei Xing; Zhiren Hu; Fan Xia; Jintao Xu; Eric Zou
Abstract: We study a massive urban afforestation policy in Beijing that planted 1/3 of a million acres of greenery in less than a decade. The policy reduces PM₂.₅ concentration at population hubs by 4.2 percent, the health value of which amounts to 1.5% of the city’s annual GDP. Rapid vegetation growth unexpectedly led to a 7.4 percent increase in pollen exposure, triggering respiratory emergency room visits, although the medical costs are outweighed by the pollution benefits. Urban forests are only partially capitalized in housing values, with buyers mainly appreciating proximity to green spaces but not the air quality improvements they bring.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: I18; Q23; Q53; Q56; R11
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Urban forest growth (Q23) | Air quality improvement (Q53) |
| Rapid vegetation growth (O13) | Pollen exposure (Q53) |
| Pollen exposure (Q53) | Emergency room visits due to respiratory issues (I19) |
| PM2.5 reduction (Q52) | Healthcare cost savings (I11) |
| Pollen exposure (Q53) | Healthcare costs (I11) |
| Urban forest growth (Q23) | Emergency room visits due to respiratory issues (I19) |