Conservation subdivision design, a greenfield development practice that utilizes site analysis methods to preserve significant portions of environmentally valuable land, was shown to produce a higher 5-year appreciation rate for homes compared to traditionally developed subdivisions (10.85% vs. 4.35%) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Bowman, Troy, Jan Thompson, and Joe Colletti. (2009). Valuation of open space and conservation features in residential subdivisions. Journal of Environmental Management 90(1), 321-330.
