Estimating Recreational Value of Greenspace and Park Using Contingent Valuation Method (Case study: Baharan Park, Meybod city)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Resources & Desert studies, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

2 Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics, Management & Accounting, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

Abstract

To express the role and importance of the environment and express its monetary values, these resources need to be valued using appropriate methods. Therefore, in the present study, the recreational value of Baharan Park in Meybod city has been evaluated using the contingent valuation method. Also, using the logit model, the effective factors on the willingness of visitors to pay have been investigated to improve the situation and protect this park. To do so, first, the sample size was determined based on the Cochran method, and then the data were collected by questionnaire and a face-to-face interview. Based on the results, that the variables "visit duration" and "education level" positively affected and on the other hand, the variables "transportation vehicles" and "maximum offer amount" negatively affected the willingness to pay. According to the results, the monthly willingness to pay of each visitor was 38,350 Rials. Also, the monthly and annual willingness to pay of each household was evaluated at 161070 and 1932840 Rials, respectively, which indicates the high importance of this park.

Keywords