Aarhus Living Lab: Welfare Economic Assessment of Large-Scale Nature Restoration

This brief presents the results of a social cost-benefit analysis of a large-scale nature restoration plan in the Municipality of Aarhus in Denmark.

A total of 11 Water- & Nature Parks are planned that would more than double nature areas. In this brief, one of the 11 parks, the Aarhus River Valley Water- & Naturepark is assessed economically in terms of:

• Surface water quality improvement
• Groundwater protection
• Improved recreation opportunities
• Enhanced amenity values
• Carbon sequestration
• Implementation and operational costs

Results show for the Aarhus River Valley Water- & Nature park that for every euro invested, society gains 4.15 euros.

Zandersen Marianne (Work package leader), Telling Lone Nørgaard (Project member), Panduro Toke Emil (Researcher), Levin Gregor (Researcher), Nainggolan Doan (Researcher).