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Symposium

Session: Nature-based Solutions for Cities: The promise, peril, and opportunity for resilience and equity through urban ecological infrastructure

SYMP 12-4 - Mapping, measuring, and valuing the benefits of nature-based solutions in cities

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

2:30 PM – 2:50 PM EDT

Location: 524A

Presenting Author(s)

TW

Tong Wu

Stanford University

Co-Author(s)

AG

Anne Guerry

Stanford University, United States

Co-author(s)

EL

Eric Lonsdorf

University of Minnesota, United States
CN

Chris Nootenboom

University of Minnesota
RR

Roy Remme

Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Netherlands
RG

Rob Griffin

University of Massachusetts
HW

Hillary Waters

University of Minnesota
SP

Stephen Polasky

Dept. of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, United States
BH

Baolong Han

Chinese Academy of Sciences
BJ

Ben Janke

University of Minnesota, United States
MM

Megan Meacham

Stockholm University
PH

Perrine Hamel

Nanyang Technological University
XW

Xueman Wang

The World Bank

Background/Question/Methods

A benefit of using nature-based solutions in cities is that they often provide multiple co-benefits in addition to helping solve the original “problem.” For example, a new urban park can provide not only more equitable access to outdoor recreational opportunities, but also it can help cool the surrounding neighborhood, provide flood protection, mitigate climate change, and improve the mental and physical health of those with access to it. Mapping, measuring, and valuing the benefits provided by nature-based solutions can provide useful information to municipal leaders as they weigh options. We explore the theory and practice of valuation of nature-based solutions in cities—in both monetary and non-monetary terms. To demonstrate the utility and details of modeling, mapping, and valuing urban ecosystem services we describe two very different case studies using the new Urban InVEST tools from two cities: Guangzhou, China and Minneapolis, USA. In Guangzhou we quantify and value key ecosystem services provided by a large wetland in the center of the city. In Minneapolis, we analyze the distributional impacts of Minneapolis’ urban heat island to explore how the risks of urban heat exposure correspond to the locations of vulnerable populations.

Results/Conclusions
Detailed information about the diverse benefits of nature-based solutions (how much, where, and for whom) can help target investments. We estimate the marginal value of climate change mitigation, urban cooling, and mental health benefits provided by the Haizhu wetland in Guangzhou to be $146.8 million USD over the next 30 years, in addition to reduced mortality risk and increased workplace productivity. While the Guangzhou case study articulates the supply and value of key ecosystem services provided by an urban green space, it does not explicitly identify those who benefit most from those services. In Minneapolis, we demonstrate how an assessment of the benefits provided by urban green space can and should go beyond valuation to incorporate existing socio-economic disparities and vulnerabilities, which can temper or enhance the benefits provided by urban nature. High poverty neighborhoods and those with predominantly BIPOC residents in Minneapolis do not benefit as much from nature-based cooling as do other areas of the city. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of the multiple benefits provided to people by urban nature can inform smarter targeting of investments in urban nature-based solutions in ways that improve the livability, sustainability, and equity of the cities of today and tomorrow.