Determinants of Willingness to Pay for an Urban Green Area: A Contingent Valuation Survey of College Students
Determinants of Willingness to Pay for an Urban Green Area: A Contingent Valuation Survey of College Students
Author(s): Maria Bonaventura Forleo, Nicola Gagliardi, Luca RomagnoliSubject(s): Energy and Environmental Studies, Environmental and Energy policy, Higher Education , Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Mednarodna fakulteta za družbene in poslovne študije
Keywords: environmental values; use value; non-use value; WTP; pro-environmental behaviour; university students; urban green area; sustainability; environmental management; logit;
Summary/Abstract: The aim of the study is to identify factors affecting young people’s willingness to pay (WTP) for the conservation of an urban green area. A questionnaire survey, based on the Contingent Valuation method, was administered to a sample of students enrolled at the University of Molise (Italy). We examine the determinants of WTP for use and non-use values, visitors’ profiles, socioeconomic characteristics and environmental attitudes. We detect factors affecting WTP decisions through logistic regression analysis. Variables affecting the WTP differ from the environmental values and according to the visiting experience; socio-economic characteristics do not appear particularly signifi-cant; the main cause for zero bids is related to the perception of the green area as a public good. Our results highlight a growing tendency, in young generations, towards a more sustainable awareness, which we believe should be carefully nurtured through adequate policy instruments, so to enhance the quality of urban life.
Journal: International Journal of Management, Knowledge and Learning
- Issue Year: 4/2015
- Issue No: 1
- Page Range: 7-25
- Page Count: 19
- Language: English