Green infrastructure for urban climate adaptation: How do residents’ views on climate impacts and green infrastructure shape adaptation preferences?

Abstract

h i g h l i g h t s• Novel socio-cultural valuation framework for green infrastructure and climate impacts.• People are more aware of present-day heat waves but more alarmed by future flooding.• People tend to prefer diverse, familiar and visually attractive adaptation measures.• Environmental education can increase support for effective adaptation measures.• Results help planners prioritize effective and desired green infrastructure designs. a r t i c l e i n f o b s t r a c tCities are particularly prone to the effects of climate change. One way for cities to adapt is by enhancing their green infrastructure (GI) to mitigate the impacts of heat waves and flooding. While alternative GI design options exist, there are many unknowns regarding public support for the various options. This study aims to fill this gap by performing a socio-cultural valuation of urban GI for climate adaptation that encompasses multiple dimensions: people's notion of and concerns about climate impacts, the degree to which people acknowledge the benefits of GI to alleviate such impacts, and people's preferences for different GI measures, including their willingness to pay (WTP). Data were collected through photo-assisted face-to-face surveys (n = 200) with residents in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and linked to GI GIS data. Respondents had a notion of and concerns about climate impacts, but did not necessarily acknowledge that GI may help tackle these issues. Yet, when residents were informed about the adaptation capacity of different GI measures, their preferences shifted towards the most effective options. There was no information effect, however, on people's WTP for GI, which was mostly related to income and ethnicity. Our study shows that economic valuation alone would miss nuances that socio-cultural valuation as applied in this paper can reveal. The method revealed preferences for particular adaptation designs, and assists in detecting why policy for climate adaptation may be hampered. Understanding people's views on climate impacts and adaptation options is crucial for prioritizing effective policy responses in the face of climate change.

Linear Parks along Urban Rivers: Perceptions of Thermal Comfort and Climate Change Adaptation in Cyprus

“…As Derkzen et al [12] point out, understanding people's views on climate change and adaptation options is vital for prioritizing policy responses for climate adaptation. However, both Geneletti et al [9] and Derkzen et al [12] indicate the need for assessments and stronger evidence of the benefits and co-benefits of nature-based solutions versus other options. In addition, Geneletti et al [9] also points at the importance of mainstreaming and integrating nature-based climate adaptation measures in the urban planning process.…”

Willingness to Pay for Green Infrastructure in Residential Development—A Consumer Perspective

“…Environmental factors may include decreasing pollution levels [6,7,15,51], improvements for water run-off [6, 7,15], or the general value of trees [51]. The attenuation of stormwater run-off and pollution are provided with the adoption of green roofs, and a study of Melbourne Australia showed the potential benefits derived from the widespread adoption in retrofits [57,58].…”

“…Studies showed that WTP might be negative or nil if respondents were dissatisfied with public GI standards, which is practically experienced with municipally owned areas such as parks or walking areas [7]. Mell et al's [45] results showed that bearing costs for the maintenance of GI may have a negative effect on WTP.…”

Sustainability

“…Results indicated that while respondents were generally aware of the impacts of climate change, they were not aware that green infrastructure could mitigate these impacts. After being informed of the climate change adaptation capacity of green infrastructure, respondents opted for the most effective strategies (Derkzen et al, 2017). Surveys of resident perception of green infrastructure for the mitigation of climate change stresses in Gold Coast City (Australia) found that, despite vulnerability to heat stress, relatively disadvantaged residents, "are no more concerned about climate change;…”