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Towards an Urban Quality of Life Index Basic theory & econometric methods

This article discusses the theory and econometric methods used to measure Urban Quality of Life (UQoL) and determine its factors. It explores the possibility of translating UQoL variables into monetary terms and constructing a UQoL index. The article also examines how UQoL can be used as a benchmark for urban policy and for making quality comparisons between cities. It compares the hedonic equations and happiness economics approaches in measuring UQoL.

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Towards an Urban Quality of Life Index Basic theory & econometric methods

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  1. Towards an Urban Quality of Life IndexBasic theory & econometric methods Bernard M.S. van Praag University of Amsterdam and Ada Ferrer -i-Carbonell ICREA & Institut d'Anàlisi Econòmica (CSIC), Barcelona

  2. Basic questions • How is Urban Quality of Life (UqoL) measured? • Which factors determine UQoL? • Is it possible to translate UQoL –variables in terms of money? • Can one construct an Urban UQoL–index ? • Can it be used as a benchmark for urban policy? • Can it be used to make quality comparisons between cities?

  3. Two approaches • Hedonic equations • Trade offs made in the market • Limitations: (1) people do not optimize, (2) there are market failures & (3) decisions depend on external factors. (Roback (1982), Rosen (1979), Blomquist et al. (1988), Gyourko, J. (1991) • Happiness economics offers an alternative

  4. Hedonic equations (1) Rent determinants in Lima (in green urban variables) Source: Quality of Life in Urban Neighbourhoods in Metropolitan Lima, Peru, L. Alcázar & R. Andrade (2008).

  5. Hedonic equations (2) Rent (r) depends on house characteristics (h) and urban factors (u) • Rent is decomposed into hedonic factors • Ratio α1/α2is the market ratio between two urban factors. • Is it the subjective trade–off ratio of the owner? • True only if house owner lives in a house of optimal choice, given income and other individual variables. • Strong assumption, especially for long term purchases • If there is no optimum, then is a rent index but not a subjective Urban Quality of Life – index.

  6. Happiness economics • Key tool: Satisfaction questions Clark and Oswald (1994), Easterlin (1974), Van Praag (1971), Frey and Stutzer (2002), Van Praag & Ferrer-i-Carbonell (2004,2007), Graham (2007), DiTella, MacCulloch & Oswald (2001), Oswald & Powdthavee (2007), Blanchflower & Oswald (2004), DiTella, Haisken–DeNew, MacCullogh (2007), Helliwell (2007).

  7. Life Satisfaction Question In conclusion, we would like to ask you about your satisfaction with your life in general. Please, answer according to the following scale: 0 means ´completely dissatisfied´, 10 ´completely satisfied´. How satisfied are you with your life, all things considered? 0___1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9___10 completely completely dissatisfied satisfied

  8. Peruvian questionnaire (2008). En una escala del 1 al 10, donde 1 es totalmente insatisfecho y 10 es totalmente satisfecho, ¿cuán satisfecho se encuentra usted con los siguientes aspectos de su distrito...(LEER ATRIBUTOS)? (MOSTRAR TARJETA 62 Y ANOTAR PUNTAJE) Puntaje El nivel del tráfico y congestión vehicular El servicio del transporte públic El grado de la contaminación La tranquilidad / silencio en su vecindad

  9. Main characteristics • Assumption: Respondents who give the same answer are equally satisfied. (ordinal interpersonal comparability) • What are factors defining life satisfaction? • Age, gender, income, health, family size, social relations, urban environment , etc.. • In short :a vector x=() of satisfaction determinants.

  10. Indifference curves (1) • Respondents with different x may be equally happy. • Say, in the sample we find 100 respondents in the same response category. With different combinations of satisfaction determinants: x(1),…, x(100)  The set of points {x(1),…, x(100)} in x –space constitutes a satisfaction indifference set.

  11. Satisfaction Indifference Curve Satisfaction x1 x2 We represent the persons as points in the x –space.

  12. Indifference curves (2) • In case of response categories we have indifference bands. • An indifference curve is described by an equation f(x1,…, xk)=u, where u stands for a specific level of satisfaction. • Linear indifference curves are described by α1x1+…+ αkxk+α0=u

  13. Neo-classical & Happiness Economics • The x–variables are : • Neo-class: private goods & services bought on the market at market prices (e.g. cars, houses, medical services) • Happiness Economics also public goods (e.g. urban environment), and intangible circumstantial variables (e.g. health, age, social relations) • Identification: • Neo-class by marginal conditions, assuming respondent is in optimum situation. • Happiness Economics by means of satisfaction questions

  14. Estimation of indifference curves • Various estimation methods yield essentially same outcome (Van Praag and Ferrer -i-Carbonell 2004,2007) • Ordinal (OP) and cardinal utility indicators • Cardinal Median Utility (CM) • Assume ordinal utility function: U(inc,x)=N(αincln(inc)+α1x1+…+ αkxk+α0;0,σ) • Cardinalization:If response is = 7  setun=N-1(0.7) Responses [0-10] replaced by their normal quantiles. And we should get approximately: To be estimated by OLS on

  15. Example: Job satisfactionEstimated by 5 methods (GSOEP)

  16. Coefficients normalized

  17. Life & Domains Satisfactions • Life satisfaction can be decomposed into domains, the two– and multi–layer model • The satisfaction approach is applicable to domains of life. • Job satisfaction, but also satisfaction with health, financial situation, social relations, marriage, the government, housing situation, one's neighborhood & supply of urban amenities.

  18. Domain satisfactions as components of satisfaction with life as a whole

  19. Example: German samplefrom BvP,FiC,Happiness Quantified

  20. Example: Costa Rica Hall L.J.,Madrigal R., J. Robalino (CATIE, Costa Rica) (2008), "Quality of Life in Urban Neighbourhoods in Costa Rica", forthcoming in IDB-publication.

  21. Index of Urban Quality • Cardinal index per person • Assumption: cardinal interpersonal comparability Su=Su(An,Zn) urban amenities (An) & individual characteristics (Zn) • The quality of Lima may be evaluated by the inhabitants of Lima • Or by the inhabitants of Buenos Aires by

  22. Separability of the index • Separability? • Vignet analysis (cf. Kapteyn, Smith, Van Soest, AER 2007)

  23. Conclusions • Satisfaction measurement is possible • Without neo-classical behavioral assumptions • Natural extension of variables to non- market variables, external effects, rationing. • Indifference curves can be estimated • Wide variety of methods lead to the same result for trade-off estimates • Quality index requires a cardinalization • Further research necessary for practical implementation.

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