Citizens' cultural values and urban green spaces in Colombia: An experimental analysis

Abstract

Urban green spaces (UGS), such as urban forests, green corridors, and parks, are vital for societal well-being and environmental health. Despite extensive research on the economic value of parks, our understanding of how cultural values affect the appreciation of urban green spaces within parks remains limited. To address this, we conducted a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) focusing on revitalizing a key urban park in Colombia and developed four cultural indexes. Our investigation revealed that the majority of these indexes had a significant impact on households' preferences for increased access to such areas. Specifically, households' utility increases significantly when they have more urban green spaces available, and when their indexes for environmental collectivity, long-term orientation, and femininity increase simultaneously. However, the uncertainty index showed no significant effect on household utility. Based on these findings, we recommend specific policy actions. Supporting environmental collectivity through volunteer programs and community projects aimed at conserving urban green spaces is crucial. It is essential to promote environmental education and raise awareness of pro-environmental measures for future generations. Additionally, it is important to promote gender equality through awareness-raising, education, and policies that ensure equitable participation in decision-making.