Estimating and mapping the value of cultural ecosystem services in an urban landscape context

Abstract

In the postmodern urbanized society, the cultural ecosystem services (CES) supplied by different sites of an urban environment play an important role in facilitating and preserving the well-being of urban individuals. This study introduces an innovative, non-monetary framework to assess and map CES across urban environments, providing a fresh approach to understanding their spatial distribution and significance. The study utilized a structured questionnaire to collect 1309 responses from 171 sites within the Asansol Municipal Corporation (AMC) in the Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal, India. The study uses empirical tools (e.g., box-whisker plot, simple column chart) and maps to show how different services behave and how they are connected. Unlike conventional monetary evaluations, this study employs a GIS-based technique combined with 24 subjective well-being indicators to assess CES such as aesthetics, social value, sense of place, recreation, spirituality, and health and wellness benefits. This methodology identifies some spatial hotspots of CES in densely populated areas. The result highlights higher values for spiritual and recreational, and lower values for sense of place, health and wellness services. The results offer several valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers, which can guide sustainable urban development, improve public spaces, and enhance community well-being.