Search

Begin New Search Political Geography Europe Author Gabriel Ahlfeldt

1. Urban Renewal after the Berlin Wall

Author:
Gabriel Ahlfeldt, Wolfgang Maennig, and Felix J. Richter
Publication Date:
11-2013
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg
Abstract:
Urban renewal areas are popular but empirically understudied spatial planning instruments designed to prevent urban decline and induce renewal. We use a quasi-experimental research design to study the effects of 22 renewal areas implemented in Berlin, Germany, to increase housing and living quality in the aftermath of the city’s division during the Cold War period. Our results suggest that the policy has helped reduce (increase) the number of buildings in poor (good) condition by 25% (10%). Property prices increased at an annual rate of 0.4-1.7% according to our preferred estimates. Evidence is weak at best, however, for positive housing externalities. More generally, our findings indicate that the efficiency of program evaluations for place based -policies using quasi-experimental methods increases with the number of targeted areas and areas that provide the counterfactual.
Topic:
Economics, Urban, Property, Revitalization, and Redevelopment
Political Geography:
Europe and Germany

2. Lifestyles and Preferences for (Public) Goods: Professional Football Goods: Professional Football Professional Footballin Munich

Author:
Gabriel Ahlfeldt, Wolfgang Maennig, and Michaela Ölschläger
Publication Date:
01-2010
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg
Abstract:
This paper investigates the 2001 referendum on the Allianz-Arena, a professional soccer stadium in Munich, Germany, with respect to lifestyle-specific voter preferences. Using political party affiliation and milieu probabilities as proxy variables, we find that lifestyle-specific preferences, values and attitudes more significantly contribute to the explanation of voting outcome compared to traditional strata-orientated indicators of economic wealth. Thus, lifestyle, preferences, tastes and attitudes are not proportionally related to income. Results are robust to stadium proximity effects and spatial dependency.
Topic:
Sports, Referendum, Stadiums, and Lifestyle
Political Geography:
Europe, Germany, and Munich

3. Terrorism and the Regional and Religious Risk Perception of Foreigners: The Case of German Tourists

Author:
Gabriel Ahlfeldt, Bastian Franke, and Wolfgang Maennig
Publication Date:
03-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg
Abstract:
This paper analyses how German tourists react to unanticipated shocks that alter their risk perception of selected tourism destinations. Using a difference-in-difference strategy which flexibly accounts for macroeconomic conditions and also addresses potential problems of serial correlation, we isolate significant effects of the 9/11 (2001) terrorist attacks, as well as for the attacks in Egypt (1997), Tunisia (2002), Morocco (2003) and Indonesia (2003). These terror attacks impacted especially on Islamic countries all over the world, indicating a transmission mechanism driven by ethnic and religious proximity. At the same time, tourism into Islamic countries was temporarily substituted by tourism to (south) European countries.
Topic:
Islam, Terrorism, Tourism, 9/11, and Risk
Political Geography:
Europe, Indonesia, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia

4. Impact of Non-smoking Ordinances on Hospitality Revenues: The Case of Germany

Author:
Gabriel Ahlfeldt and Wolfgang Maennig
Publication Date:
06-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg
Abstract:
Non-smoking ordinances are among the most popular albeit controversial public health-care legislations worldwide. This article provides an empirical assessment of the impact of non-smoking ordinances on bar and restaurant revenues in German Federal States. By application of panel spline regression and difference-in-difference strategies, we find negative impact limited to bars in the very short run. If any, there is a positive impact on total expenditures in the long run, indicating that either consumption pattern has not changed at all or that any reduction in spending by smokers is compensated for by a corresponding increase by non-smokers. These findings support the German – and similar – non-smoking legislations in the sense that positive externalities resulting from reduced health care cost are likely to outweigh the risk to businesses in the hospitality sector, at least in the long run.
Topic:
Economics, Public Health, and Revenue
Political Geography:
Europe and Germany

5. Regional and Sectoral Effects of a Common Monetary Policy: Evidence from Euro Referenda in Denmark and Sweden

Author:
Gabriel Ahlfeldt, Wolfgang Maennig, and Tobias Osterheider
Publication Date:
10-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg
Abstract:
This article provides empirical evidence for the (anticipated) net costs and benefits of a common monetary policy that varies across regions depending on the industry mix. The paper is the first to approach the issue of the regional and sectoral effects of a common monetary policy by using empirical spatial models to analyze referenda. Here, the referenda examined are the 2000 and 2003 referenda held in Denmark and Sweden regarding participation in the EMU. We find that voters in regions with a high proportion of interest-sensitive sectors and low international integration tend to oppose participation in a currency union. The opposite is true for non-interest-sensitive sectors with relatively high integration. These findings are in line with the hypothesis of rational voters maximizing utility. Furthermore, perceived net costs are found to increase with distance from the European core and with the age of voters, indicating that a national currency represents an experience good. These results are robust to spatial dependencies and are not driven by broader forms of Euro-skepticism.
Topic:
Monetary Policy, Regional Integration, Voting, and Regional Economy
Political Geography:
Europe, Denmark, and Sweden

6. Monument Protection: Internal and External Price Effects

Author:
Gabriel Ahlfeldt and Wolfgang Maennig
Publication Date:
04-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg
Abstract:
This paper analyses the impact of heritage-listed buildings on condominium transaction prices in Berlin, Germany. We use transaction data to test for price differentials between listed and nonlisted properties and to study their impact on surrounding property prices. Proximity to built heritage is captured by distance to listed houses and indicators capturing neighborhoods with built heritage. Impact is assessed by applying a hedonic model to micro-level data and a non-parametric approach to location. While our findings suggest that listed properties do not sell at a premium or discount, heritage-listed buildings are found to have positive external effects on surrounding property prices.
Topic:
Economics, Culture, Heritage, and Real Estate
Political Geography:
Europe, Germany, and Berlin

7. The Role of Architecture on Urban Revitalisation: The Case of Olympic Arenas in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg

Author:
Gabriel Ahlfeldt and Wolfgang Maennig
Publication Date:
05-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg
Abstract:
This paper investigates socioeconomic impacts of three multifunctional sports arenas situated in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg, Germany. The three arenas were chosen for their potential to contribute to revitalisation of their economically deprived neighbourhoods. We employ a difference-in-differences approach to check for structural breaks in development of land values within areas of potential impact. Our results suggest that arenas emanate positive externalities and apparently have accelerated the process of gentrification going on in Prenzlauer Berg. However, evidence also supports concerns that congestion problems may adversely affect property values, at least when not addressed appropriately during planning.
Topic:
Economics, Architecture, Gentrification, and Stadiums
Political Geography:
Europe, Germany, and Berlin

8. The Impact of Sports Arenas on Land Values: Evidence from Berlin

Author:
Gabriel Ahlfeldt and Wolfgang Maennig
Publication Date:
01-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg
Abstract:
This paper develops a hedonic price model explaining standard land values in Berlin. The model assesses the impact of three multifunc-tional sports arenas situated in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg which were de-signed to improve the attractiveness of their formerly deprived neighbourhoods. Empirical results confirm expectations about the impact of various attributes on land values. Sports arenas have significant positive impacts within a radius of about 3000 meters. The patterns of impact vary, in-dicating that the effective impact depends on how planning authorities address potential countervailing negative externalities.
Topic:
Economics, Sports, and Land
Political Geography:
Europe, Germany, and Berlin