Community Values For Green Public Open Space

摘要

With a drying climate, Perth is facing difficult decisionsabout how to manage green public open space (POS) inthe metropolitan area. At present, local councils irrigatePOS with groundwater. But this resource is becomingdepleted owing to reduced recharge, prompting the stategovernment to consider reducing licensed allocations. Inthis study we use a choice modelling survey of 525 Perthhouseholds to assess whether community is prepared topay for more expensive sources of irrigation water to keepPOS green over summer or, alternatively, are willing tomake compromises – e.g. less green space, replacinggrass with native groundcover, or improving public parkfacilities. The aim of the study is to understand how localcouncils and government should best respond to reducedgroundwater availability.