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Case
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Reference no. HKS1231.0
Published by: Harvard Kennedy School
Published in: 1993

Abstract

City parks are traditionally viewed by economists as public goods- assets whose benefits are so widely shared that only government has both the means and the motive to finance them. This case tells the story of what might seem to be a counter-example: the construction of a major new pocket park in downtown Boston largely financed through private contributions. This microeconomics case allows for a wide-ranging discussion of the public good concept. It forces students to confront those factors which motivated private finance to get involved in the construction of Post Office Square Park-and to consider whether their actions somehow challenge the notion of the public good.

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Abstract

City parks are traditionally viewed by economists as public goods- assets whose benefits are so widely shared that only government has both the means and the motive to finance them. This case tells the story of what might seem to be a counter-example: the construction of a major new pocket park in downtown Boston largely financed through private contributions. This microeconomics case allows for a wide-ranging discussion of the public good concept. It forces students to confront those factors which motivated private finance to get involved in the construction of Post Office Square Park-and to consider whether their actions somehow challenge the notion of the public good.

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