Guidelines (including a toolkit) for assessing the value of the ecosystem services provided by natural areas/green infrastructure in suburban locations. EcosystemsUrban ImplementationEcosystem approachPayment for ecosystem services MethodsEcosystem assessment TopicsEcosystem servicesGreen infrastructureNatural capitalUrbanisationValuation Uses of this productThe main reason for the overconsumption of the above-mentioned resources (natural land, greenery, landscapes, environment, biodiversity, and agricultural land) is that natural amenities in suburban areas are underpriced or unpriced, mainly because natural amenities are open-source resources. To solve such a problem, the establishment of public property rights and a relevant regime of use is essential. Additional informationWHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED? FACILITATORY (PUBLIC) BODIES: planning and development department; socio-economic development department; land use planning department; environmental and sustainability department; green spaces department; policy development department LOCAL TASK FORCE: local or regional authority; professional expert SUITABLE FOR: urban region; urban-rural interface MAIN NECESSARY RESOURCES ARE: public institutional set-up; legal legitimisation; expert knowledge ConstraintsSuburbanization and urban sprawl are typical patterns of growing European cities. Whereas the growth of cities is principally a powerful positive trend, urban expansion is associated with various negative trends. This is due to urban sprawl is characterized by accelerated rates of soil sealing, over-consumption of land and loss of natural environment, and loss of agricultural resources. In turn, the loss of natural and rural land results in loss of greenery and biodiversity, contamination of the air, soils and waters, loss of opportunities to develop agriculture in close proximity to big cities, and loss of natural landscapes. AdvantagesThe first step towards the establishment of a relevant regime of use is to assess the value of resources, and to this end, a system of payments for natural resources is the most efficient way to regulate their consumption. Among the variety of ways to assess the value of natural resource amenities, ecosystem services are considered to be the most comprehensive approach.This tool focuses on: institutional sustainability, economic sustainability , ecological sustainability.Main outcomes: economic benefit, process innovation, physical improvements. LinksTURAS tool webpageSub-urban Ecosystem Payments video Contact detailsTURAS Expert contact: Aleksandar Slaev
