Providing ecological, cultural and commercial services in an urban park: A travel cost–contingent behavior application in Finland

Erkki Mäntymaa,Mikko Jokinen,Artti Juutinen,Tuija Lankia,Pauliina Louhi

doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104042

Erkki Mäntymaa, Mikko Jokinen + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104042

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Abstract

The need for monetary valuation of recreational ecosystem services in urban areas is greatly acknowledged in several contexts. Most often, studies provide a total value of recreational visits, but a separate contribution of ecosystem, cultural, and commercial services to the value of recreation in urban ecosystems is rarely provided. In this study, the recreational importance of an urban park including streams is assessed, and the welfare implications of planned future improvements in three types of service are revealed, i.e. the restoration of the reproductive brown trout population, an increased number of happenings or events, and the service of a cafeteria-restaurant. Travel cost and contingent behavior methods are combined, which has not previously been applied in such a context. The results show that people perceive the park’s importance for their well-being. The improvements of each service separately tended to increase the value between 14% and 21%, and of all services simultaneously by 66%. Remarkably, individuals with low incomes valued the park more than wealthier individuals. As the park is a free access environment, this suggests that the improvement of its recreational possibilities may especially benefit those with fewer opportunities for chargeable free time activities. Respondents’ awareness of the reconstruction and management project of the park and the streams tended to increase the number of visits to and value of the park. At the societal level, the stream restoration was found to be highly profitable.

Highlights

Green parks, woodlands, natural fields, and the green spaces in the surroundings of water bodies represent a fundamental component of any urban ecosystem
Most respondents saw the restoration of streams for trout as important, a clear minority had experi enced them in the Hupisaaret streams
It could be observed from the results that the residents of Oulu requested better services, both commercial and cultural, including caf eterias, restaurants, events, and art

Summary

Introduction

Woodlands, natural fields, and the green spaces in the surroundings of water bodies represent a fundamental component of any urban ecosystem. As such, they provide diverse ecosystem services (ES) to local people and visitors, including improved air and water quality, noise reduction, biodiversity preservation, and opportunities for recre ation (Haase et al, 2014). Recreational benefits are often associated with human-made services available in urban green areas These include facilities for recreation such as trails and benches, and commercial and cultural services such as cafes, restaurants, and events. To make ES visible and comparable with more tangible marketable benefits for policy makers and city planning, for example, the need for their valuation in monetary terms has already been perceived as

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