Socio-cultural valuation of urban parks: lessons from the Philippines

Baltazar, D.E. ORCID: 0000-0002-0343-7713, 2022. Socio-cultural valuation of urban parks: lessons from the Philippines. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

This research aimed to apply socio-cultural valuation to assess how stakeholders assign values to the ecosystem services (ES) and disservices (EDS) of Jose Rizal Plaza, an urban park in Calamba City, the Philippines. The study adopted a three-part methodology, incorporating key informant interviews, online valuation survey, and focus groups. The research first identified the stakeholders and investigated the value that they assign to the park's ES and EDS. This revealed a high valuation of the park’s cultural ES and psychological EDS. The study then examined the factors that influence these values. Direct experience with the park emerged as a significant influencer, underlining the importance of park accessibility. The final part of the study investigated how values change in different contexts. The results revealed a shared appreciation for elements like enjoyment, sports, relaxation, and local culture. Anti-social behaviour emerged as a shared concern. These insights offer practical applications for Calamba City, suggesting tailored programs that focus on cultural events, psychological benefits, and community engagement. The city can also address common concerns like anti-social behaviour through targeted initiatives. The research bridges gaps in the existing literature by offering a nuanced valuation methodology and widening the scope to poorly explored dimensions like EDS. It emphasises the importance of stakeholder participation and responds to calls for methodological uniformity in socio-cultural valuation studies. The research was conducted online due to the pandemic, which posed challenges such as limited face-to-face interactions. Despite this, the study provides robust data that could guide future park improvements and methodological adaptations. The study not only offers actionable insights for urban park management in Calamba City but also contributes significantly to broader socio-cultural valuation literature. It advocates for a pluralistic and participatory approach, aligning with the trend towards sustainable urban development. By acting on these findings, Calamba City has the opportunity to lead in the adoption of a comprehensive and stakeholder-driven approach to urban park valuation. By following the outlined chronology and selecting appropriate valuation techniques, other cities can effectively gauge the socio-cultural significance of their green spaces and make well-informed decisions.

Item Type: Thesis
Creators: Baltazar, D.E.
Contributors:
NameRoleNTU IDORCID
Di Bonito, M.Thesis supervisorEVT3DIBONMorcid.org/0000-0001-8590-0267
Labadz, J.Thesis supervisorLST3LABADJCorcid.org/0000-0002-1574-7540
Smith, R.Thesis supervisorINS3SMITHRorcid.org/0000-0003-3420-7256
Date: October 2022
Rights: The copyright in this work is held by the author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, non-commercial research. Any re-use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed to the author.
Divisions: Schools > School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences
Record created by: Melissa Cornwell
Date Added: 15 Apr 2024 12:49
Last Modified: 15 Apr 2024 12:49
URI: https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/51253

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