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Parks and open space contribute to increasing nearby property values. This review of numerous studies indicates that a 20% increase is a reasonable estimate, though the impact varies with park size, use, and design.

Crompton, John L. (2005). The impact of parks on property values: Empirical evidence from the past two decades in the United States. Managing Leisure, 10, 203-218.

Monitoring of side-by-side roof systems in Toronto, Canada, measured a conventional black roof membrane at 66°C (151°F) on a typical summer day, while green roof membrane temperatures peaked at 36-38°C (97-100°F)...

Liu, Karen K.Y., and Bas Baskaran. (2005). Thermal performance of extensive green roofs in cold climates. National Research Council Canada: Institute for Research in Construction, NRCC-4820.

While the prevailing assumption is that "livable" street treatments such as street trees, on-street parking, narrower lanes, and adjacent roadside development have a negative impact on transportation safety...

Dumbaugh, Eric. (2005). Safe Streets, Livable Streets. Journal of the American Planning Association 71(3), 283-300.

In Austin, Texas, the increase in the value of homes adjacent to a greenway in three studied neighborhoods adds up to an estimated $27.28 million. The actual economic value of the greenway is likely much higher, as...

Nicholls, Sarah, and John L. Crompton. (2005). The impact of greenways on property values: Evidence from Austin, Texas. Journal of Leisure Research, 37, 321-341.

A Michigan State University study used test platforms with three different roof surface treatments to quantify differences in stormwater retention over a 14-month period with 83 measured rain events. The typical...

VanWoert, Nicholaus D., D. Bradley Rowe, Jeffrey A. Andresen, Clayton L. Rugh, R. Thomas Fernandez, and Lan Xiao. (2005). Green Roof Stormwater Retention: Effects of Roof Surface, Slope, and Media Depth. Journal of Environmental Quality, 34(3), 1036-1044.

A Michigan State University study used test platforms to test the influence of roof slope (2 and 6.5%) and green roof media depth (2.5, 4.0, and 6.0 cm) on stormwater retention. For all combined rain events...

Elderly residents in a geriatric home had increased powers of concentration after a visit to a garden, compared to after relaxing in a favorite room indoors.

Ottoson, Johan and Patrik Grahn. (2005). A Comparison of Leisure Time Spent in a Garden with Leisure Time Spent Indoors: On Measures of Restoration in Residents in Geriatric Care. Landscape Research 30, 1: 23-55.

A study of 8 British schools found that moderate to vigorous physical activity levels were 32% higher for children on playgrounds with brightly colored markings as compared to activity levels of children on...

Stratton, Gareth, and Elaine Mullan. “The Effect of Multicolor Playground Markings on Children’s Physical Activity Level during Recess.” Preventive Medicine 41, no. 5-6 (2005): 828-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2005.07.009.

In a Portland, Oregon study of elderly women living alone, urban form with mixed services and good pedestrian access was associated with more walking. Additionally, elderly women in standard suburban residencies...

Patterson, Patricia K., and Nancy J. Chapman. (2004). Urban Form and Older Residents’ Service Use, Walking, Driving, Quality of Life, and Neighborhood Satisfaction. American Journal of Health Promotion 19(1), 45-53.

A study of the mid-block portion of five urban roads in Toronto found a statistically significant decrease in traffic accidents after landscape improvements to the center median and edge of the curb lane.

Naderi, Jody Rosenblatt. (2003). Landscape design in the clear zone: Effect of landscape variables on pedestrian health and driver safety. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1851(1), 119-130.

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