Resident perceptions of urban stream restoration and water quality in South Korea

Abstract

AbstractThis research explores if individual preferences for the major functions of stream restoration processes correlate water quality variations in an urban watershed of South Korea. We use a set of results from an analytical hierarchy process model to rank the major stream restoration functions and compare citizens' preferences for “water quality” improvement during stream restoration based on the water quality index (WQI) and ordinary least square regression. This study identifies the correlation between the WQI and individual perceptions regarding stream restoration. Regional context and individual characteristics also influence the demands and awareness of citizens pertaining to stream restoration. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding residents' perceptions and demographic information, including education, marriage status, gender, and residence period in different subwatersheds. The largest change (28.29) in the WQI score of one subwatershed was correlated with the participants' perception of water quality changes and water pollution (analytical hierarchy process index: 66.8%). On the basis of the survey results, we recommend that a human–ecological interdependent and adaptive consultative body is established in each subwatershed to successfully implement stream restoration projects.