Spatial Dimensions in Stated Preference Methods: Exploring Spatial Heterogeneity in People’s Preferences

概要

In environmental policy, it is crucial that the value of the environment be incorporated into
policy-making processes. Two methods exist for quantitatively evaluating the value of the
environment: the revealed preference method, which infers the value of the environment based
on economic behavior, and the stated preference method, which directly evaluates the value of
the environment through data expressed by individuals. This study aims to analyze the spatial
heterogeneity of individuals' preferences for the environment via the expressed preference
method. It is well-known that individuals' preferences for the environment are spatially
heterogeneous, with certain preferences concentrated in specific regions. Understanding this
spatial heterogeneity of preferences can contribute to developing efficient environmental
policies. Historically, spatial heterogeneity of preferences has been analyzed through revealed
preference methods. However, these methods are limited since they cannot evaluate the nonuse value of the environment. Therefore, this study employs geographic information system
(GIS) data in stated preference methods to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of individuals'
preferences for the environment. In Chapter 1, the issues addressed in this thesis are presented,
as well as an overview of prior studies on ecosystem services provided by the natural
environment and the valuation of the environment. Three research questions are presented, and
the relationship between the thesis structure and the research questions is outlined. In Chapter
2, an econometric model for assessing the value of the environment is presented. The stated
preference method frequently employs choice experiments, in which individuals choose their
most preferred option from multiple alternatives. This choice data is then analyzed using a
discrete choice model. ...