Wang, C., Turner, V. K., Wentz, E. A., Zhao, Q. and Myint, S. W. (2021) Optimization of residential green space for environmental sustainability and property appreciation in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Science of the Total Environment, 763, 144605. (doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144605) (PMID:33383515)
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Abstract
Cities in arid and semi-arid regions have been exploring urban sustainability policies, such as lowering the vegetation coverage to reduce residential outdoor water use. Meanwhile, urban residents express concerns that such policies could potentially impact home prices regardless of the reduced water costs because studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between vegetation coverage and home values. On the other hand, lower vegetation coverage in arid and semi-arid desert regions could increase surface temperatures, and consequently increases energy costs. The question is therefore where the point in which residential outdoor water use can be minimized without overly increasing surface temperatures and negatively impacting home values. This study examines the impacts of spatial composition of different vegetation types on land surface temperature (LST), outdoor water use (OWU), and property sales value (PSV) in 302 local residential communities in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona using remotely sensed data and regression analysis. In addition, the spatial composition of vegetation cover was optimized to achieve a relatively lower LST and OWU and maintain a relatively higher PSV at the same time. We found that drought-tolerant landscaping that is composed of mostly shrubs and trees adapted to the desert environment is the most water efficient way to reduce LST, but grass contributes to a higher PSV. Research findings suggest that different residential landscaping strategies may be better suited for different neighborhoods and goal sets can be used by urban planners and city managers to better design urban residential landscaping for more efficient water conservation and urban heat mitigation for desert cities.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Zhao, Dr Qunshan |
| Authors: | Wang, C., Turner, V. K., Wentz, E. A., Zhao, Q., and Myint, S. W. |
| College/School: | College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies |
| Journal Name: | Science of the Total Environment |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 0048-9697 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1879-1026 |
| Published Online: | 24 December 2020 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. |
| First Published: | First published in Science of the Total Environment 763: 144605 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy |
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