Assessing the socio-economic benefits from green and blue space rehabilitation: a case study for the Confluence area in Lyon

Abstract

This paper aims to demonstrate the added socio-economic value of green/blue spaces in urban areas. The Sustainable Urban Landscape Development (SULD) hedonic pricing simulation model is applied to the case-study of Confluence in Lyon, France. Scenario simulations are performed for the establishment of urban parks, along with the requalification of riverfronts and development of road infrastructure. Results show that the first two interventions (parks and parks plus requalification) attract high-income households and, hence, lead to increases in real estate values up to +28%. The latter intervention (parks plus new road infrastructure) also attracts low-income households, which leads to a smaller increase in real estate values. SULD aids in improving urban planning strategies, in terms of drafting plans, public discussion and monitoring.