Clean Air in Consumer Cities - MIT Center for Real Estate
Asia Real Estate Initiative

Clean Air in Consumer Cities

Principal Investigators: Siqi Zheng, Jianghao Wang
Researchers: Matthew Kahn, Chengtao Lin, Cong Sun, Weizeng Sun, Xiaonan Zhang
Year: 2017 - 2019
Sponsor: Center for Real Estate
Topics: Climate and Sustainable Real Estate, Urban and Real Estate Economics
  • Theme 3: Urban and Real Estate Sustainability in Asia
    • Sub-Theme 1: Clean Air and Consumer Cities

Does Clean Air Increase the Demand for the Consumer City?

Evidence from Beijing


Consumer cities offer a variety of leisure opportunities. However, the gains from such consumer city leisure are likely to be lower on more polluted days. 

We study the association between daily consumption activity and outdoor air pollution in China and find evidence in favor of the hypothesis that clean air and leaving one’s home for leisure trips are complements. 

Air Pollution and Elite College Graduates’ Job Location Choice

Evidence from Tsinghua University

Will graduates consider the level of air pollution in the destined cities when accepting job offers? Is there a tendency of choices? Does it vary according to students’ degrees?

Air quality is crucial urban livability characteristics that affect behaviors and actions among people daily. As severe air pollution brings significant health and social cost to urban residents, it might also become a factor for decision-making of where to live. 
 
In China, when college graduates search for their first jobs, they regard air quality as a critical consideration when choosing which city to work in.

Self-Protection from Smog

Inequality in pollution exposure between low and high-income households

Research has previously shown that air pollution is damaging to our health, productivity, and education. Apart from government regulations to reduce emissions, individuals can invest in protective equipment, such as masks and air filters, to reduce their exposure to air pollution.


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Clean Air in Consumer Cities