Including the economic value of well-functioning urban ecosystems in financial decisions: Evidence from a process in Cape Town

M, de Wit; Zyl, Hugo van; Crookes, Douglas J.; Blignaut, James Nelson; Jayiya, Terence; Goiset, Valerie; Mahumani, Brian K.

doi:10.1016/j.ecoser.2012.08.002

Cited by 33 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Studies from South African cities in biodiversity hotspots of international importance (e.g. Cape Town and Durban) have indicated how ecosystem services of fragmented natural areas need to be assessed and valued to show their importance for inclusion in urban planning and management (De Wit et al, 2012;O'Farrell, Anderson, Le Maitre, & Holmes, 2012;Roberts, Boon, Croucamp, & Mander, 2005). However, rapid rates of development and lack of enforcement of regulations means that the continued availability of services cannot be guaranteed, even where their city-wide importance is well recognised in academic and policy circles (Anderson et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rethinking urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services from the perspective of sub-Saharan African cities

Lindley

Pauleit

Yeshitela

et al. 2018

Landscape and Urban Planning

111

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providing relevant details, so we can investigate your claim. context-specific conceptual, theoretical and empirical foundations is a problem which must be addressed. Drawing on papers from a Special Issue centred on urban green infrastructure and urban ecosystem services in sub-Saharan Africa, we consider what concepts and frameworks are in use and what needs to be considered when framing future research. We also synthesise key messages from the Special Issue and draw together themes to help create a new research agenda for the international research community.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rethinking urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services from the perspective of sub-Saharan African cities

Lindley

Pauleit

Yeshitela

et al. 2018

Landscape and Urban Planning

111

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For multilateral agencies and public finance decision-makers, this study also demonstrated that investing in MPAs can be effective both for the conservation of nature and to fullfil local economic development objectives. Financial and economic analyses of ES may enable benchmarks with other investments in infrastructure or public services and change the false idea that investing in nature produces low returns (de Wit et al, 2012). If adequately communicated, these results can allow for more informed decisions regarding budget allocations.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of economic benefits for public investment in MPAs

et al. 2018

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MPAs enhance some of the Ecosystem Services (ES) provided by coral reefs and clear, robust valuations of these impacts may help to improve stakeholder support and better inform decision-makers. Pursuant to this goal, Cost-Benefit Analyses (CBA) of MPAs in 2 different contexts were analysed: a community based MPA with low tourism pressure in Vanuatu, and a government managed MPA with relatively high tourism pressure, in Saint Martin. Assessments were made on six ES: fish biomass, scenic beauty, protection against coastal erosion, bequest and existence values, social capital and CO 2 sequestration, which were quantified via different approaches that included experimental fishery, surveys and benefit transfer. Total operating costs for each MPA were collected and the benefit-cost ratio and return on investment based on 25-year discounted projections computed. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on MPA impacts, and discount rates (5%, 7% and 10%). The investment indicators all showed positive results with the impact on the tourism ES being the largest estimated for all MPAs, highlighting the importance of this relationship. The study also demonstrated a relatively high sensitivity of the results to different levels of impacts on ES, which highlights the need for reducing scientific knowledge gaps.

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“…Research findings are critical for the effective design and implementation of green infrastructure in future urban development (MEA 2005). In South Africa, related research fields include urban ecology Holmes et al 2012), sustainability science (Le Maitre et al 2007), infrastructure transition for increased urban resilience (Schäffler and Swilling 2012) and ecosystem services research De Wit et al 2012;O"Farrell et al 2012). These fields have a common focus on complex socialecological systems, seeking practical applications for planning and design (Cilliers 2010b) by emphasizing resilience through learning and adaptation (Le Maitre et al 2007).…”

Section: Review Of Prior Research On Green Infrastructurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Greening efforts are a potential economic driver of property values and investments (Cilliers 2010a;Ernstson et al 2010). Recent valuation studies in South Africa have focused on specific municipalities (De Wit et al 2012;Roberts et al 2005;Stoffberg et al 2010). Such studies explicitly demonstrate the functions of nature to decision-makers, and they indicate the limitations of monetary measures of the intrinsic and non-exploitive value of nature (Chiesura and Martinez-Alier 2011:94).…”

Section: Review Of Prior Research On Green Infrastructurementioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Landscape Designers in Promoting a Balanced Approach to Green Infrastructure

Breed

Cilliers

Fisher

2015

J. Urban Plann. Dev.

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The importance accorded to green infrastructure is related to socio-cultural values, which also affect the social production of ecosystem services. The literature distinguishes four categories of ecosystem services to be included in green infrastructure, namely cultural, regulating, provisioning and supporting services. This study considers the current role of landscape design practice in South Africa in the social production process by analyzing design projects featured in three prominent profession-focused magazines over nine years, since 2004. The magazine analysis indicates that, contrary to what the scientific literature and theory propounds, landscape design practitioners perceive cultural and regulating services as more important than provisioning or supporting services. This is evident from recurrent discussions in these magazines focusing on aspects such as social and community matters, sustainability, and the showcasing of design and aesthetics. The analysis also suggests that environmental law, ratings systems, and award systems influence what landscape design practitioners consider important. It is suggested that award systems are best positioned to reorient values and promote a well-balanced inclusion of ecosystem services in green infrastructure.

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Including the economic value of well-functioning urban ecosystems in financial decisions: Evidence from a process in Cape Town

Cited by 33 publications

References 4 publications

Rethinking urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services from the perspective of sub-Saharan African cities

Rethinking urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services from the perspective of sub-Saharan African cities

Evidence of economic benefits for public investment in MPAs

Role of Landscape Designers in Promoting a Balanced Approach to Green Infrastructure

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