Evaluating the Impact of Green Spaces on Property Values

Very Hard Critical Reasoning Evaluating Data Arguments

A recent analysis conducted by the Urban Institute investigated the relationship between urban green spaces and property values in several major cities. The study found that properties located within a quarter-mile of a public park experienced an average increase in value of 20% over five years compared to properties located more than a mile from any park. The researchers concluded that access to green spaces plays a significant role in enhancing property values in urban neighborhoods.

Despite these findings, critics of the study argue that property values are influenced by numerous factors, including economic conditions, local schools, and crime rates. They suggest that the study may not account for these variables and thus overstate the impact of green spaces on property values.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the critics' argument?

The study accounted for variations in local economic conditions but found that proximity to parks was still a major factor in value increases.

Other studies have shown that access to high-quality schools leads to an increase in property values.

A majority of the properties surveyed were in high-crime neighborhoods, yet they still showed an increase in value.

Property values in neighborhoods with high amounts of green space typically outperform those in neighborhoods with fewer parks.

Hint

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