Cost-Benefit Analysis of Urban Green Spaces: A Case Study on Air Quality and Public Health

Abstract

Urban green spaces have emerged as critical infrastructure for fostering sustainable urban development, mitigating environmental degradation, and enhancing public health. This research paper presents a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of urban green spaces, focusing on their impact on air quality improvement and public health outcomes. Using a mixed-methods approach involving empirical data from a mid-sized urban locality, satellite-derived vegetation indices, and air quality sensors, the study evaluates the economic viability of green space investments. Benefits measured include reductions in airborne pollutants, incidences of respiratory illness, and healthcare costs. The study also incorporates non-market valuations such as improved mental well-being and aesthetic value through contingent valuation methods. The analysis reveals those although the initial and maintenance costs of urban green spaces is significant, the accrued benefits—especially long-term health savings and ecosystem services—vastly outweigh the expenditures. The results underscore the importance of integrating green infrastructure into urban planning as both an environmental and economic necessity.