Xiao-Xia Lang

Bio: Xiao-Xia Lang is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Willingness to pay & Contingent valuation. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 7 citations.

Influencing the Willingness to Pay for Urban Park Service Functions

Abstract: The contingent valuation method (CVM) was used along with a questionnaire survey and field research methods to analyze the factors affecting willingness to pay (WTP) for urban parks in Tai’an. The results indicated that roughly 50% of the residents visited the urban parks weekly. Doing physical exercises and viewing topped the list of activities. Residents of different characteristics had different WTPs for the service functions of urban parks. From the two surveys, 60.1% and 61.4% of residents would be willing to pay. The average individual WTPs were 42.2 yuan·a -1 and 43.1 yuan·a -1 in the two surveys, and the medianin dividual WTP was 20.0 yuan·a -1 . WTP was mainly affected by satisfaction, and WTP value was mainly affected by education level and income. Other factors had some correlation, but none were significant. Finally, some useful suggestions and references were given to the government in order to enhance the urban park services proposal. Key words : Urban park, Willingness to pay (WTP), Contingent valuation method (CVM), Correlation analysis

Perceived benefits, aesthetic preferences and willingness to pay for visiting urban parks: A case study in Kolkata, India

Abstract: Urban parks provide multi-purpose benefits, including environmental, social, recreational, and health benefits to the city dwellers. Recently much research has argued that a better understanding of citizen preferences should be effective in managing urban green space. The aim of this study to understand the purpose, motives as well as attitude towards urban parks in different socio-demographic assortments, variety of preferences, and their willingness to pay (WTP). A questionnaire-based survey has been conducted with 6 selected urban parks in Kolkata city, the second-largest city of India. A 5-point Likert scale was used to measures of preference of respondents. Cronbach's alpha is used to measure the internal consistency of variables and a non-parametric Spearman test was performed to identify potential correlations between the variables. The study has discovered an interesting public perception about the use of urban parks which depend on a mix of aesthetic preferences and environmental benefits. The result shows that various socio-demographic factors, particularly gender, age groups, education level, and economic status are influenced to visit parks. It also shows that the majority of the respondents were visits parks for acquiring ‘social benefits’ (39.9%) and ‘psychological and health benefits’ (71.7%). Furthermore, strong correlations were found between park suitability, accessibility, and aesthetic preferences with WTP. Overall, this study will be helpful in the assessment of park users' motives and their attitudes which is essentially required to manage urban green space in a multi-dimensional construct.

Assessing the Preservation of Parks and Natural Protected Areas: A Review of Contingent Valuation Studies

Abstract: The existence of parks is particularly important and offers many benefits both to the environment and to humans. Parks are recreational spaces, which contribute to the improvement of the microclimate, reduce atmospheric pollution and protect biodiversity. Their importance for the urban environment is even greater because they offer pure oxygen to the city and people feel close to nature in them. The aim of this study is to review studies which took place globally as well as in Greece, relying on the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) for parks. The reason that this method is used is the valuation of non-market goods and services through the development of a hypothetical market. Additionally, a distinction is made among previous empirical studies depending on the nature of the parks and the country where the survey was conducted, while the disadvantages that must be considered from the use of Contingent Valuation Method are mentioned. According to the findings of the literature review, studies using Contingent Valuation in Greece, particularly in the case of urban parks, are limited. As far as we know, the valuation of existing urban parks has not yet been studied, so this could be a field for further research. The economic valuation of parks in a country like Greece, which suffered with the financial crisis, can lead to conclusions about the value that citizens attribute to parks and the identification of possible protest responses.

Determinants of Willingness to Pay for an Urban Green Area: A Contingent Valuation Survey of College Students

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 significant; 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.

Assessment of Landscape Co-Benefits in Natura 2000 Site Management Plans

Abstract: The concept of co-benefits developed in the context of climate change policies can be extended to the strategies aimed at protecting natural resources. A co-effects-based policy approach proposes a multidimensionality capable of strengthening its effectiveness and supporting a co-generative development model aimed at promoting virtuous forms of territorial capital valorisation. The study aimed to evaluate the landscape co-benefits generated by the Natura 2000 networks, achieving a measure of efficiency of the policies and performance of the Management Plan, with reference to the “Timpa di Acireale” site. CVM and TCM were used for the estimation of landscape co-benefits. For the evaluation of the efficiency of the policies and the performance of the Plan, some economic-financial criteria were implemented. With reference to the user-citizen, the local tourist and the supralocal tourist, flows of annual co-benefits of EUR 754,764, EUR 99,678.12 and EUR 2276.39, respectively, were estimated. The analyses of the efficiency of the policies and the performance of the Plan provided sufficient results. In conclusion, the lack of an adequate level of infrastructure for all users’ profiles reduces the ability to generate co-benefits for the users themselves and more significantly for tourists in a territory with a strong tourism vocation.

Determination of willingness to pay for entrance fee to national park: An empirical investigation

Abstract: This paper examine the determinants of willingness to pay (WTP) of Bhitarakanika National Park (BNP), Odisha in India. Primary data has been collected from the visitors through survey method. We used multiple regression model to determine the WTP for entrance fee at BNP. The estimated results concluded that, income, age, day spent, marital status and travel cost have positively significant relationship with WTP whereas, gender is negatively affecting to WTP. From the policy perspective, we are suggesting to raise the entrance fee from Rs.20 to Rs. 40 which can raise the park revenue of BNP.