%D 2024
%L theses_frw4798
%X This thesis investigates the impact of seismic activity on property values in Vancouver, a city on the 
coast of the Pacific Northwest, characterized by both high earthquake risks and an expensive real estate 
market. Previous research on the topic suggests a negative effect of earthquake activity and risk 
awareness in the region on property values, although in some areas this effect can be negligible when 
risk is disclosed at the time of purchase of a property. Utilizing a Fixed Effects Linear Regression model 
and Panel data, this study investigates whether the proximity to earthquakes significantly influences 
property values. The results of this study show a significant effect of earthquake distance to Vancouver 
property prices between 2013 and 2023. As distance to an earthquake increases, so does the property 
value. This effect is in line with the theory, however, the effect measured with the available data and the 
model used is minimal. This impact may, on the one hand, be negligible because the population is 
unaware of the risks, or, the earthquake risk may not be priced into the real estate values because the 
risk is not large enough.
%T PROXIMITY TO SEISMIC ACTIVITY AND ITS EFFECT ON PROPERTY VALUES: A CASE STUDY OF VANCOUVER, BC
%A Olaf Welboren