Viewshed Modelling for Effects of Land Use on Property Values

Property values are in part defined by built structure and lot characteristics, locational attributes (e.g., proximity to amenities and disamenities), and other features such as views from a property. This study attempts to develop a viewshed estimation technique that takes into account the limbing up of trees, a major limitation of viewshed estimates to date. The limbing up effect was estimated using a conditional statement on three viewsheds: ground elevation only, ground elevation plus 8 feet where there are trees, and the elevation of vegetation (LIDAR). The viewsheds areas were intersected with their land use zone (residential, institutional, agricultural, etc) as well as their land use category (pavement, building, short, or tall vegetation) and perspective was controlled for. The viewshed estimates were evaluated within econometric models, yielding some interesting results, including that increased visibility of houses and pavement reduced property values, short vegetation had a positive effect, and views of trees themselves had no significant effect.