DOCSLIB.ORG

The Economic Value of Green Spaces

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Economic Value of Green Spaces Rethinking sustainable development: The economic value of green spaces Rethinking sustainable development: The economic value of green spaces ELIZELLE JUANEÉ CILLIERS Student number: 12248029 TRP (SA) M.Art et Scien (Urban Planning) PhD (Urban Planning) Dissertation submitted for the partial fulfilment of the degree Magister Commercii (Economics) North-West University Potchefstroom Campus 2010 Supervisor: Prof. W. F. Krugell Nov 2010 Potchefstroom The economic value of green spaces AAcckknnoowwlleeddggeemmeennttss “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was ‘thank you’, that would suffice...” A sincere thank you to: Prof. Waldo Krugell for his insights and help, and for opening up a new academic world for me Prof. Calie Schoeman for being my mentor and friend Selna Cornelius for inspiration, motivation, and understanding Mom and Dad for being my rock Oca for being patient and allowing me to follow my heart Louise Pekelharing for language editing ERSA and National Treasury for providing funds for studies and workshops Prof. Wim Timmermans for providing international collaboration opportunities Wageningen University in the Netherlands for being my home away from home North West University for providing me with endless opportunities in an academic career God, for letting me be. This document was edited according to the ‘QUOTING SOURCES’ (E.J. van der Walt, 2006), as prescribed and edited by the Information Services of the Ferdinand Postma Library, North West University, Potchefstroom. Abstract Page III The economic value of green spaces AAbbssttrraacctt “Economics is a study of consequences of various ways of allocating scarce resources which have alternative uses. It is not a study of our hopes and values” - Thomas Sowell – Sustainable development is a utopian aspiration for most modern urban areas. Sustainable development, as defined in literature, always includes three dimensions: social aspects, the economy and the environment. Sustainable development is the fine balancing act of these three dimensions. However, ten years since the introduction of the sustainable development concept, it is still not fully realised in practice and implemented in the urban environment, and reasons are being sought to clarify this reality. This study evaluates sustainable development from a spatial planning and economics perspective, arguing that the unequal prioritisation between pro-development approaches and pro-environmental approaches is the greatest reason for unsustainable urban areas. The economy (along with development pressures) and the environment (along with green space protection initiatives) should be planned holistically in order to reach a state of urban sustainability. Reality reveals however, that the environment is often neglected, and sometimes sacrificed to benefit and enhance urban development. This is mainly a result of land-use planning decision-making and the perceptions of local authorities with regard to the function and value of environmental areas (green spaces), in comparison to urban areas. Urban areas are valued higher than green spaces; mainly because urban areas can be measured (valued) in terms of monetary value (property prices or revenue drawn from development) and green spaces mainly have indirect, unmeasurable value (social, environmental). This study aimed to link green spaces and economic benefit in an attempt to quantify the intrinsic value of the green spaces, as a way to enhance green space planning. The increasing rate of worldwide urbanisation is compounding this problem as green spaces are sacrificed for residential and commercial developments. This widespread trend of green space loss is of international concern. From the objectives of urban economics and environmental (green) economics, it is believed that authorities will value green spaces better when a monetary value can be connected to it. The ability to influence land-use decisions is an essential economic development instrument, as land-use is an important factor in urban economic growth and development due to its contribution to desirability and productivity of a city. In this way economic theories and models can significantly enhance and guide future spatial planning decision-making processes. In the attempt to valuate green spaces in South Africa, Potchefstroom where used as a case study, identifying the linkages between local green spaces and residential property prices. Preliminary results were contrary to the general tendency in developed countries that property value increases with proximity to green areas, but it highlighted the city-scale and neighbourhood-scale benefit of green spaces. A tool was proposed for local authorities to evaluate green spaces in order to be able to compare revenue gained from developmental projects versus environmental projects on an equal platform, resulting in a balanced sustainable development vision and guide for future decision-making within the spatial planning process. Abstract Page IV The economic value of green spaces OOppssoommmmiinngg “Ekonomie is nie 'n studie van ons hoop en waardes nie” - Thomas Sowell – Volhoubare ontwikkeling is 'n utopiese strewe vir die meeste moderne stede. Volhoubare ontwikkeling, soos omskryf in die literatuur, sluit altyd drie dimensies in: sosiale aspekte, die ekonomie en die omgewing. Volhoubare ontwikkeling poog om hierdie drie dimensies te balanseer. Tien jaar sedert die bekendstelling van die konsep van volhoubare ontwikkeling, is dit steeds nie ten volle geïmplementeer of gerealiseer in die stedelike omgewing nie Redes word gesoek om hierdie werklikheid te verduidelik. Hierdie studie evalueer die volhoubare-ontwikkeling konsep vanuit 'n ruimtelike beplanning en ekonomiese perspektief, met die argument dat die ongelyke prioritisering tussen pro-ontwikkelingsbenaderings en pro-omgewingsbenaderings, die grootste rede vir onvolhoubaarheid in die stedelike gebiede is. Die ekonomie (en druk vir ontwikkeling) en die omgewing (en groen-ruimte beskermingsinisiatiewe) moet geïntegreerd beplan word ten einde stedelike volhoubaarheid te bereik. Die werklikheid getuig egter daarvan dat stedelike ontwikkeling plaasvind ten koste van die omgewing, dikwels verwaarloos word, en soms opgeoffer word. Dit is hoofsaaklik 'n gevolg van beplanningsbesluite van grondgebruik en die persepsies van die plaaslike owerhede oor die funksie en waarde van die groen ruimtes, in vergelyking met stedelike gebiede. Stedelike gebiede word hoër as groen ruimtes gewaardeer, veral omdat stedelike gebiede gemeet kan word in terme van monetêre waarde (eiendomspryse en inkomste wat uit die ontwikkeling spruit) terwyl groen ruimtes hoofsaak indirekte, onmeetbare waarde inhou (sosiaal, omgewing). Hierdie studie poog om ‘n verband te trek tussen groen ruimtes en ekonomiese voordeel, met die doel om die intrinsieke waarde van die groen ruimtes te kwantifiseer en sodoende groen ruimte beplanning te stimuleer. Die toenemende tempo van wêreldwye verstedeliking vererger hierdie probleem en groen ruimtes word opgeoffer vir residensiële en kommersiële ontwikkelings. Die tendens van groen-ruimte verlies is van internasionale belang. Vanuit die vertrekpunte van stedelike ekonomie en omgewingsekonomie, word daar geglo dat die plaaslike owerhede groen ruimtes beter sal waardeer, indien 'n finansiële waarde daaraan gekoppel kan word. Die vermoë om grondgebruikbesluite te beïnvloed is 'n belangrike ekonomiese ontwikkelingsinstrument, omdat grondgebruik 'n belangrike faktor in stedelike ekonomiese groei en ontwikkeling is, danksy die bydrae tot leefbaarheid en produktiwiteit van 'n stad. Ekonomiese teorieë en modelle kan dus ʼn aansienlike bydrae lewer tot toekomstige ruimtelike beplanning en besluitnemingsprosesse. In die poging om die waarde van groen ruimtes in Suid-Afrika te bepaal, is Potchefstroom as studiegebied gebruik, waar die verband tussen die plaaslike groen ruimtes en woonhuispryse bepaal is. Voorlopige resultate was kontrasterend tot die algemene tendens in ontwikkelde lande waar woonhuispryse verhoog het soos afstand vanaf die groen ruimtes verminder het, maar dit het wel die stad-skaal en woonbuurt-skaal voordeel van groen ruimtes uitgelig. ‘n Instrument om groen ruimtes te evalueer is voorgestel, om sodoende inkomstes van ontwikkelingsprojekte teenoor omgewingsprojekte te kan vergelyk. Dit sal lei tot ʼn gebalanseerde, volhoubare ontwikkelingsvisie vir toekomstige besluitneming binne die ruimtelike beplanningsproses. Abstract Page V The economic value of green spaces TTaabbllee ooff CCoonntteennttss Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................... III Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................... IV Opsomming ................................................................................................................................................. V Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................... VI List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................ VIII List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................ IX Table of Acronyms .....................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • World Bank Document
    THE WORLD BANK POLICY PLANNING AND RESEARCH STAFF Public Disclosure Authorized Environment Department Economic Analysis of Sustainable· Growth and Sustainable Development Public Disclosure Authorized JohnPezzey Public Disclosure Authorized March 1989 1ment Department Working Paper No. 15 ) n3 .15 Public Disclosure Authorized --,-·., use. The views and interpretations herein are those of I to the World Bank, to its affiliated organizations or to SLC004236 This paper has been prepared by John Pezzey, a consultant to the Environment Department of the World Bank. He is an economist specializing on the roles of environmental resources and discount rates in growth theory, and is a visiting research fellow in the Environment and Behavior Program of the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The author is grateful to Robert Ayres, Edward Barbier, Herman Daly, Salah El Serafy, John English, Jonathan Fisher, Philip Graves, Stein Hansen, David Heigham, Jeffrey Krautkraemer, Nancy Olewiler, David Pearce, Henry Peskin, Barry Poulson, Ray Prince, David Ulph, Jeremy Warford and Tomasz Zylicz for helpful comments and discussions on earlier drafts of this paper. Departmental Working Papers are not formal publications of the World Bank. They present preliminary and unpolished results of country analysis or research that is circulated to encourage discussion and comment; citation and the use of such a paper should take account of its provisional content. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the author, and should not be attributed in any manner to the World Bank, to its affiliated organizations, or to members of its Board of Executive Directors or the countries they represent.
    [Show full text]
  • Defining, Valuing, and Providing Ecosystem Goods and Services*
    THOMAS C. BROWN,- JOHN C. BERGSTROM" & JOHN B. LOOMIS*** Defining, Valuing, and Providing Ecosystem Goods and Services* ABSTRACT Ecosystem services are the specific results of ecosystem processes that either directly sustain or enhance human life (as does natural protectionfrom the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays) or maintain the quality of ecosystem goods (as water purification maintains the quality of streamflow). "Ecosystem service" has come to represent several related topics ranging from the measurement to the marketing of ecosystem service flows. In this article we examine several of these topics by first clarifying the meaning of "ecosystem service" and then (1) placing ecosystem goods and services within an economic framework, emphasizing the role and limitations of substitutes;(2) summarizing the methodsfor valuationof ecosystem goods and services; and (3) reviewing the various approachesfor their provision and financing. Many ecosystem services and some ecosystem goods are received without monetary payment. The "marketing" of ecosystem goods and services is basically an effort to turn such recipients - those who benefit without ownership- into buyers, thereby providing market signals that serve to help protect valuable goods and services. We review various formal arrangementsfor making this happen. I. INTRODUCTION "Ecosystem service" is the latest environmental buzzword.1 It appeals to ecologists, who have long recognized the many benefits derived from well-functioning ecosystems. It appeals to resource economists, who . Economist and Project Leader, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. Address for correspondence: [email protected], T.C. Brown, RMRS, 2150-A Center Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80526. - Richard B. Russell, Jr., Professor of Public Policy, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Georgia.
    [Show full text]
  • The Measurement of Environmental and Resource Values: Theory and Methods
    The Measurement of Environmental and Resource Values The first edition of this important work was the winner of the 2002 Publication of Enduring Quality award by the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists. The continuing premise for the book is that estimates of the economic values of environmental and natural resource services are essential for effective policy-making. Like previous editions, the third edition, which includes two additional co-authors, presents a comprehensive treatment of the theory and methods involved in estimating environmental benefits. Researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners will welcome the work as an up- to-date reference on recent developments. Students will gain a better understanding of the contribution that economics as a discipline can make to decisions concerning pollution control and human health, recreation, environmental amenities, and other critical issues concerning the way we use and interact with environmental and natural resource systems. To reflect recent progress in both the theory and practice of non-market valuation, this third edition includes more details on empirical approaches to measurement, expanded discussion of the reasons for divergence between “willingness to pay” and “willingness to accept compensation,” and increased coverage of econometric issues encountered in estimation. In keeping with its cutting-edge orientation, it also includes more discussion of survey design, equilibrium sorting models, and the implications of behavioral economics for welfare measurements and benefit cost analysis. A. Myrick Freeman III is William D. Shipman Professor of Economics Emeritus at Bowdoin College in Maine, USA, and a former Senior Fellow at Resources for the Future (RFF), Washington DC, USA. Joseph A.
    [Show full text]
  • Bureau of Land Management Socioeconomics Program Guidance Economic Methods for Estimating Nonmarket Environmental Values
    Bureau of Land Management Socioeconomics Program Guidance Economic Methods for Estimating Nonmarket Environmental Values Purpose. This guidance describes when and how to use economic methods to estimate nonmarket environmental values when preparing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) resource management planning and other decision-making. These methods estimate the benefits individuals attribute to experiences of the environment, uses of natural resources, or the existence of particular ecological conditions that do not involve market transactions and therefore lack prices. At least a qualitative description of the most relevant nonmarket values should be included for the affected environment and the impacts of alternatives in NEPA analyses involving environmental impact statements (EIS), for both resource management plans (RMP) and project- level decisions. Such description may also be appropriate for inclusion in environmental assessments (EA). The use of quantitative valuation methods should contribute to the analysis of one or more issues to be addressed in the environmental analysis supporting planning or other decision-making. A quantitative analysis of nonmarket values in EIS-level NEPA analyses is strongly encouraged where one or more of the criteria provided below apply (see Criteria for Nonmarket Valuation). This guidance is directed to several audiences. For non-specialists, it explains the basic concepts of nonmarket valuation and provides direction on when and how such methods can best be used (see General Guidance). For economists and other socioeconomic specialists, it provides additional notes on the use of these methods (see Technical Guidance). The socioeconomics program is currently funding a series of field-based case studies on nonmarket economic valuation for resource management decisions.
    [Show full text]
  • Defining Environmental Goods and Services: a Case Study of Mexico
    couv 8-06-05 rouge 2ok 28/11/05 14:16 Page 4 October 2005 Trade and Environment ICTSD Project on Environmental Goods and Services Defining Environmental Goods and Services: A Case Study of Mexico The ICTSD project on Bridging Trade and Sustainable Development in Environmental Goods and Services aims at enhancing developing countries’ capacity to understand trade and sustainable development issue By Enrique Lendo linkages with respect to environmental goods and services and reflect regional perspectives and priori- Consultants in Environmental Strategy and Negotiations (COESNA) ties in regional and multilateral trade negotiations. The current phase of the project got underway in January 2005 and will continue until June 2006. Other project activities and resources include: ● Options for Liberalisation of Trade in Environmental Goods in the Doha Round. By Robert Howse and Petrus B. van Bork, November 2005. ● The Economics Of Trade In Environmental Services: The Implications For Developing Countries In The GATS. By Colin Kirkpatrick, forthcoming. ● Technology transfer Issues in environmental goods: Will the Doha Round of negotiations facilitate access? By Lynn Matelka, forthcoming. ● Latin American Consultation on Environmental Goods and Services, Diálogo regional sudamericano sobre bienes y servicios ambientales, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 1-2 June 2005. For further information, visit http://www.trade-environment.org/page/ictsd/projects/egs_desc.htm. One of the mandates of the CEC is to conduct an ongoing assessment of the environmental impacts of A study commissioned by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation trade liberalisation in North America. This assessment work shows that liberalised trading rules under NAFTA do not in and of themselves lead to the increased use of environmentally preferable products.
    [Show full text]
  • Forest Policy and Economics in Support of Good Governance
    Forest T. Tuomasjukka (ed.) Forest Policy and Economics Policy in Support of Good Governance and Economics Forest-related policy issues have become ever more complex, multifaceted and are both an outcome of several underlying causes and driving forces and subject to influences of several policy sectors. These proceedings in comply the presentations of the international workshop Support Forest Policy and Economics in Support of Good Governance, organized in April 2009 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The presentations and discussions of the of Good workshop on capacity building and governance made it very clear that there is a need for studies related to good Governance governance throughout Europe. Governance is a cross- cutting issue which is applicable to a multitude of sectors and businesses, and those professionals with an in-depth knowledge on good governance are likely to be increasingly attractive employees in the future. ISSN 1237-8801 ISBN 978-952-5453-35-5 EFI Proceedings No. 58, 2010 Forest Policy and Economics in Support of Good Governance Tuomasjukka, Tomi (ed.) EFI Proceedings No. 58, 2010 European Forest Institute Croatian Forest Research Institute EFI Proceedings No. 58, 2010 Forest Policy and Economics in Support of Good Governance Tuomasjukka, Tomi (ed.) Publisher: European Forest Institute Series Editors: Gert-Jan Nabuurs, Editor-in-Chief Minna Korhonen, Managing Editor Editorial Office: European Forest Institute Phone: +358 10 773 4300 Torikatu 34 Fax. +358 10 773 4377 FIN-80100 Joensuu, Finland Email: [email protected] http://www.efi.int/ Cover photo: Tomi Tuomasjukka Layout: Kopijyvä Oy Printing: WS Bookwell Oy Disclaimer: The papers in this book comprise the proceedings of the event mentioned on the back cover.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluation of Environmental Functions As a Tool in Planning, Management and Decision-Making
    Evaluation of environmental functions as a tool in planning, management and decision-making 'fifcJ-xA- '•'J>".ro-f McJi-C,el' Rudolf S. de Groot Rudolf Steven de Groot EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTIONS AS A TOOL IN PLANNING, MANAGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING Proefschrift ter verkrijging van degraa d vandocto r in delandbouw - en milieuwetenschappen op gezag vand erecto r magnificus, dr. C.M.Karssen , in hetopenbaa r te verdedigen op vrijdag 30 september 1994 des namiddags te vier uuri nd e Aula van de Landbouwuniversiteit te Wageningen. Stellingen Stellingen behorende bij het proefschrift van Rudolf S. de Groot: "Evaluation of Environmental Functions as a Tool in Planning, Management and Decision making" Wageningen, .30 september 1994 1. Bij de afweging van de vele belangen die een rol spelen bij de besluitvorming rond economische ontwikkeling en ruimtelijke ordening wordt het (economisch) belang van natuurlijke ecosystemen nog steeds onderschat. 2. Verandering in een bepaalde milieu-eigenschap (bijv. luchtkwaliteit) heeft vaak ingrijpende, en deels nog onbegrepen, consequenties voor het functioneren van hele ecosystemen. Voor het inzichtelijk maken van de vele terugkoppelingsmechanismen in de natuur is functie-analyse een nuttig hulpmiddel en onderstreept het belang van systeem-ecologisch onderzoek. 3. De jaarlijkse baten (monetair en anderszins) van de functies van een ecosysteem of natuurgebied zouden gezien moeten worden als de "rente" op dit "natuurlijk kapitaal"; kennis over de ecologische én economisch waarde van het natuurlijk kapitaal kan derhalve een nieuwe invulling geven aan het begrip "goed rentmeesterschap". 4. 'Natuurbehoud is zelfbehoud' is geen originele, maar wel een juiste stelling. 5. De "externe" kosten van bijv.
    [Show full text]
  • Article Valuing Urban Landscape Using Subjective Well-Being Data: Empirical Evidence from Dalian, China
    Article Valuing Urban Landscape Using Subjective Well-being Data: Empirical Evidence from Dalian, China Erda Wang 1, Nannan Kang 1,* and Yang Yu 2 1 Faculty of Management and Economics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China; [email protected] 2 School of Economics and management, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel: 86-411-847-07090. Received: 20 November 2017; Accepted: 20 December 2017; Published: 24 December 2017 Abstract: It has been well recognized that the urban landscape ecosystem is able to make a great contribution to the quality of life for people who live in the city and beyond, thus it can potentially accrue a significant economic value to the human well-being. However, due to its public good nature, it is difficult to monetizing its values in a systematic manner. In this paper, we attempt to assess the economic value of the urban landscape through people’s life satisfaction approach utilizing a large sample of dataset complied from the general public survey in Dalian City which is one of the well-known tourism cities in China. The results indicate that most of the urban landscape attributes impose significant effects on people’s life satisfaction, thus accruing a considerable amount of value to the local residents. Taking a 10-point ranking scale for the urban landscape quality as an example, the household willingness to pay on average reaches ¥24,579 per annum for one point of ranking level increase. Relative to the low level of household income, those high-income households are much keener to the changes of the landscape quality.
    [Show full text]
  • Key Issues for Mountain Areas
    United Nations University Press is the publishing arm of the United Na- tions University. UNU Press publishes scholarly and policy-oriented books and periodicals on the issues facing the United Nations and its people and member states, with particular emphasis upon international, regional, and transboundary policies. The United Nations University is an organ of the United Nations es- tablished by the General Assembly in 1972 to be an international com- munity of scholars engaged in research, advanced training, and the dis- semination of knowledge related to the pressing global problems of human survival, development, and welfare. Its activities focus mainly on the areas of peace and governance, environment and sustainable devel- opment, and science and technology in relation to human welfare. The University operates through a worldwide network of research and post- graduate training centres, with its planning and coordinating headquar- ters in Tokyo. Key issues for mountain areas Key issues for mountain areas Edited by Martin F. Price, Libor F. Jansky, and Andrei A. Iatsenia United Nations a University Press TOKYO u NEW YORK u PARIS 6 United Nations University, 2004 The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University. United Nations University Press United Nations University, 53–70, Jingumae 5-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-8925, Japan Tel: þ81-3-3499-2811 Fax: þ81-3-3406-7345 E-mail: [email protected] general enquiries: [email protected] http://www.unu.edu United Nations University Office at the United Nations, New York 2 United Nations Plaza, Room DC2-2062, New York, NY 10017, USA Tel: þ1-212-963-6387 Fax: þ1-212-371-9454 E-mail: [email protected] United Nations University Press is the publishing division of the United Nations University.
    [Show full text]
  • Identification, Measurement, and Incorporation of Environmental Quality Objectives in Natural Resource Development Herbert David Schellenberg Iowa State University
    Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Retrospective Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 1973 Identification, measurement, and incorporation of environmental quality objectives in natural resource development Herbert David Schellenberg Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd Part of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons, and the Agricultural Economics Commons Recommended Citation Schellenberg, Herbert David, "Identification, measurement, and incorporation of environmental quality objectives in natural resource development " (1973). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 5961. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/5961 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This material was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is an indication that the photographer suspected that the copy may have moved during exposure and thus cause a blurred image.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis of Selected Concepts on Resource Management a Study to Support the Development of a Thematic Community Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Resources
    European Commission - DG Environment Analysis of Selected Concepts on Resource Management A Study to Support the Development of a Thematic Community Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Resources March 2002 i Executive Summary Background and aim For many years, environmental policy has focused on resolving the most urgent problems as regards environmental pollution, to a large extent by focusing on end-of-pipe technologies. More and more, the public and policy makers are also directing attention to the need for reducing resource use and its impact on the environment. This is inter alia reflected in the 6th EU Environmental Action Programme, which identifies improved "Resource efficiency and management" as one of its key objectives. Within this context, a Community Strategy on Sustainable Use of Natural Re- sources is foreseen to be developed. The aim of this report is to investigate to what extent various concepts on natural resource management may inform the development of such a community strategy, particularly in relation to defining priorities, setting targets and identifying policy options. The Club of Rome drew attention to the finiteness of non-renewable resources in the start of the 1970's and predicted exhaustion of several major resources within decades. These claims proved to be wrong, among other things, because well-functioning markets for such resources appear to be well suited to respond to expected scarcity. For example, in terms of expanding the search for new discoveries, promoting technological change that increases resource efficiency and the developing substitute materials. Today, societal concerns have increas- ingly shifted toward the degradation of environmental resources.
    [Show full text]
  • Landscapes and Regional Development: What Are the Links?
    Landscapes and regional development: What are the links? Jean-Christophe DISSART Cahiers d’économie et sociologie rurales, n° 84-85, 2007 Jean-Christophe DISSART * Paysages et développement régional : quels sont les liens ? Résumé – En dépit d’un intérêt croissant pour les paysages ruraux, des avancées dans les technologies de l’information et des améliorations dans les transports, nombre de zones rurales restent en décalage socio-économique par rapport aux zones urbaines. Les espaces ruraux qui connaissent une croissance significative sont situés à proximité des agglomérations ou offrent des aménités remarquables qui attirent population et entreprises. Les paysages, comme les aménités, sont définis comme des caractéristiques locales spécifiques qui accroissent l’attractivité d’une région donnée. Les liens entre aménités et croissance régionale ont été mis en évidence par divers types de démarches empiriques. Toutefois, l’articulation entre offre et demande d’aménités et les conséquences de leur présence sur le développement méritent d’être clarifiées. Cet article de synthèse aborde plusieurs enjeux. Tout d’abord, aménités et paysages (ainsi que leurs caractéristiques) sont définis et décrits, en particulier en tant que biens économiques. Ensuite, sont présentés les facteurs d’offre et de demande. Puis les liens entre aménités, paysages et développement régional sont explicités, à la fois en termes de mécanismes d’impact et d’arrangements institutionnels. Enfin, nous soulignons des enjeux-clés de politique publique et de recherche future. Mots-clés : paysage, aménité, zone rurale, développement régional, développement économique Landscapes and regional development: What are the links? Summary – Despite increasing interest for rural landscapes, information technology advances, and transportation improvements, rural areas generally continue to lag behind urban ones with respect to many socioeconomic indicators.
    [Show full text]