The Urban Green Space Dilemma: Improved ecosystem services or smooth traffic?
Maia David (PSAE)
Abstract
The effects of climate change and pollution are leading local authorities to develop urban green spaces and related ecosystem services. While ecosystem services help to increase the quality of life of city inhabitants, they may result in a substantial reduction of the space available for car traffic and parking. We know little about the preferences of individuals in this urban planning context. We first propose a theoretical framework
to analyse the preferences of individuals regarding the trade-off between urban ecosystem services and urban space for cars, and to identify potential sources of individual heterogeneity in preferences. We then present the results of a discrete choice experiment on tram network greening in the French metropolitan area of Lyon. A survey of 500 inhabitants was conducted in 2022. Our results show that respondents value urban greening for its potential for reducing air temperatures during heat waves and for increasing biodiversity, but are substantially opposed to a high reduction in the space available for traffic and parking. We also find a significant heterogeneity in inhabitants’ preferences. Those who live in the city center, use private vehicles, are less sensitive to the environment, have high incomes and/or have less children are more likely to be opposed to the tram greening.