Changing valuations of cultural ecosystem services along an urban-periurban gradient in Berlin

Abstract

Urban green experiences high use-pressures through differing and conflicting demands. Eco-system services provided by urban green are manifold, with cultural ecosystem services (CES) representing socio-cultural benefits. To be able to inform policy-makers about the values of their urban green, changing and conflicting perceptions of cultural ecosystem services should be acknowledged. In the doctoral thesis at hand I combined qualitative and quantitative social research methods to gain information on cultural ecosystem services provided by urban green in Berlin. After theoretical analyses, qualitative values of CES were assessed through semi-structured interviews with Berlin inhabitants (problem-centered interviews, n = 22) and experts (expert interviews, n = 19). Categories of cultural ecosystem services were uniquely adjusted to fit to the urban context and detailed information on the benefits of urban green for local inhabitants gained. Further, I emphasized differences between experts and inhabitants understanding, which should be considered in planning processes. Additionally, quantitative values were assessed using a face-to-face survey, based on proportioned stratified sampling. Data (n = 558) were collected in two sampling rounds in four districts of Berlin. My results show that green space utilization and valuation of cultural ecosystem services differs by population density of the sampled district of Berlin. Moreover, different social groups – here younger urban dwellers in the city center and older residents in less densely populated areas – perceive cultural ecosystem services differently. I uncovered spatial, temporal and social factors which underlie cultural ecosystem service valuation. Cultural ecosystem services have a heterogeneous character and their understanding is of great importance for green space management, spatial planning and ecosystem service research.