Evaluation on the Benefit of Public Facilities in Kobe City: Empirical Investigation using Hedonic Approach

Abstract

　This research evaluates the benefit of public facilities. We focus on these because while supply of public facilities has become excessive in accordance with the decline of population, demand for public services will change. We select Kobe city, where has a large population and fiscal scale. Moreover, there are a lot of public facilities close to inhabitants.

　A hedonic approach with Geographic Information System (GIS) is used for empirical examination. Our results suggest that residents in Kobe city strongly confirm the benefits of public facilities. Our policy implication is that scientific and quantitative investigation on the priorities and cost-effectiveness of public facilities is important in order to understand the needs of local residents.