IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i13p7466-d588391.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Is Agent-Based Simulation a Valid Tool for Studying the Impact of Nature-Based Solutions on Local Economy? A Case Study of Four European Cities

Author

Listed:
  • Rembrandt Koppelaar

    (EcoWise Ekodenge Ltd., London SE1 8ND, UK)

  • Antonino Marvuglia

    (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), 41, rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg)

  • Lisanne Havinga

    (Architectural History and Theory Unit, Built Environment Group, Eindhoven University of Technology, Postbus 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • Jelena Brajković

    (Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade, Kralja Aleksandra Blvd. 73/II, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Benedetto Rugani

    (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), 41, rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg)

Abstract

Implementing nature-based solutions (NBSs) in cities, such as urban forests, can have multiple effects on the quality of life of inhabitants, acting on the mitigation of climate change, and in some cases also enhancing citizens’ social life and the transformation of customer patterns in commercial activities. Assessing this latter effect is the aim of this paper. An agent-based model (ABM) was used to assess change in commercial activities by small and midsize companies in retail due to the development of parks. The paper focuses on the potential capacity of NBS green spaces to boost retail companies’ business volumes, thus increasing their revenues, and at the same time create a pleasant feeling of space usability for the population. The type of NBS is not specified but generalized into large green spaces. The simulation contains two types of agents: (1) residents and (2) shop owners. Factors that attract new retail shops to be established in an area are simplified, based on attractor points, which identify areas such as large green spaces within and around which shops can form. The simulations provided insights on the number of retail shops that can be sustained based on the purchasing behavior of citizens that walk in parks. Four European cities were explored: Szeged (Hungary), Alcalá de Henares (Spain), Çankaya Municipality (Turkey) and Milan (Italy). The model allowed analyzing the indirect economic benefit of NBSs (i.e., large green spaces in this case) on a neighborhood’s economic structure. More precisely, the presence of green parks in the model boosted the visits of customers to local small shops located within and around them, such as cafés and kiosks, allowing for the emergence of 5–6 retail shops (on average, for about 800 walking citizens) in the case of Szeged and an average 12–14 retail shops for a simulated population of 2900 persons that walk in parks in the case of Milan. Overall, results from this modeling exercise can be considered representative for large urban green areas usually visited by a substantial number of citizens. However, their pertinence to support for local policies for NBS implementation and other decision-making related activities of socioeconomic nature is hampered by the low representativeness of source data used for the simulations.

Suggested Citation

  • Rembrandt Koppelaar & Antonino Marvuglia & Lisanne Havinga & Jelena Brajković & Benedetto Rugani, 2021. "Is Agent-Based Simulation a Valid Tool for Studying the Impact of Nature-Based Solutions on Local Economy? A Case Study of Four European Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7466-:d:588391
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/13/7466/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/13/7466/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sara Khoshkar & Berit Balfors & Antoienette Wärnbäck, 2018. "Planning for green qualities in the densification of suburban Stockholm – opportunities and challenges," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 61(14), pages 2613-2635, December.
    2. Lei Li & Ali Cheshmehzangi & Faith Ka Shun Chan & Christopher D. Ives, 2021. "Mapping the Research Landscape of Nature-Based Solutions in Urbanism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-41, April.
    3. Helen Santiago Fink, 2016. "Human-Nature for Climate Action: Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-21, March.
    4. Raymond, Christopher M. & Frantzeskaki, Niki & Kabisch, Nadja & Berry, Pam & Breil, Margaretha & Nita, Mihai Razvan & Geneletti, Davide & Calfapietra, Carlo, 2017. "A framework for assessing and implementing the co-benefits of nature-based solutions in urban areas," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 15-24.
    5. Liquete, Camino & Udias, Angel & Conte, Giulio & Grizzetti, Bruna & Masi, Fabio, 2016. "Integrated valuation of a nature-based solution for water pollution control. Highlighting hidden benefits," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 22(PB), pages 392-401.
    6. J. Knoben & L. A. G. Oerlemans, 2008. "Ties that Spatially Bind? A Relational Account of the Causes of Spatial Firm Mobility," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(3), pages 385-400, April.
    7. Jouke van Dijk & Piet H. Pellenbarg, 2000. "Firm relocation decisions in The Netherlands: An ordered logit approach," Papers in Regional Science, Springer;Regional Science Association International, vol. 79(2), pages 191-219.
    8. Vera Ferreira & Ana Paula Barreira & Luís Loures & Dulce Antunes & Thomas Panagopoulos, 2020. "Stakeholders’ Engagement on Nature-Based Solutions: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-27, January.
    9. Robert Marks, 2007. "Validating Simulation Models: A General Framework and Four Applied Examples," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 30(3), pages 265-290, October.
    10. Thomas Panagopoulos & Stilianos Tampakis & Paraskevi Karanikola & Aikaterini Karipidou-Kanari & Apostolos Kantartzis, 2018. "The Usage and Perception of Pedestrian and Cycling Streets on Residents’ Well-being in Kalamaria, Greece," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-17, August.
    11. Aleid E. Brouwer & Ilaria Mariotti & Jos N. van Ommeren, 2004. "The firm relocation decision: An empirical investigation," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 38(2), pages 335-347, June.
    12. Chris Davis & Igor Nikolić & Gerard P. J. Dijkema, 2009. "Integration of Life Cycle Assessment Into Agent‐Based Modeling," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 13(2), pages 306-325, April.
    13. Di Marino, Mina & Tiitu, Maija & Lapintie, Kimmo & Viinikka, Arto & Kopperoinen, Leena, 2019. "Integrating green infrastructure and ecosystem services in land use planning. Results from two Finnish case studies," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 643-656.
    14. Adriana A. Zuniga-Teran & Chad Staddon & Laura de Vito & Andrea K. Gerlak & Sarah Ward & Yolandi Schoeman & Aimee Hart & Giles Booth, 2020. "Challenges of mainstreaming green infrastructure in built environment professions," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 63(4), pages 710-732, March.
    15. Balz R. Bodenmann & Kay W. Axhausen, 2012. "Destination choice for relocating firms: A discrete choice model for the St. Gallen region, Switzerland," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 91(2), pages 319-341, June.
    16. Furlong, Casey & Phelan, Kath & Dodson, Jago, 2018. "The role of water utilities in urban greening: A case study of Melbourne, Australia," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 25-31.
    17. Guenat, Solène & Dougill, Andrew J. & Kunin, William E. & Dallimer, Martin, 2019. "Untangling the motivations of different stakeholders for urban greenspace conservation in sub-Saharan Africa," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 1-1.
    18. Yat Yen & Zhanqi Wang & Yumin Shi & Bunly Soeung, 2016. "An Assessment of the Knowledge and Demand of Young Residents regarding the Ecological Services of Urban Green Spaces in Phnom Penh, Cambodia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-11, May.
    19. Theodore Tsekeris & Klimis Vogiatzoglou, 2011. "Spatial agent-based modeling of household and firm location with endogenous transport costs," Netnomics, Springer, vol. 12(2), pages 77-98, July.
    20. Rall, Emily Lorance & Kabisch, Nadja & Hansen, Rieke, 2015. "A comparative exploration of uptake and potential application of ecosystem services in urban planning," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 16(C), pages 230-242.
    21. Babí Almenar, Javier & Elliot, Thomas & Rugani, Benedetto & Philippe, Bodénan & Navarrete Gutierrez, Tomas & Sonnemann, Guido & Geneletti, Davide, 2021. "Nexus between nature-based solutions, ecosystem services and urban challenges," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    22. de Bok, Michael & van Oort, Frank, 2011. "Agglomeration economies, accessibility, and the spatial choice behavior of relocating firms," The Journal of Transport and Land Use, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, vol. 4(1), pages 5-24.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Israa H. Mahmoud & Eugenio Morello & Giuseppe Salvia & Emma Puerari, 2022. "Greening Cities, Shaping Cities: Pinpointing Nature-Based Solutions in Cities between Shared Governance and Citizen Participation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-7, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Vera Ferreira & Ana Paula Barreira & Luís Loures & Dulce Antunes & Thomas Panagopoulos, 2020. "Stakeholders’ Engagement on Nature-Based Solutions: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-27, January.
    2. Balbontin, Camila & Hensher, David A., 2021. "Understanding business location decision making for transport planning: An investigation of the role of process rules in identifying influences on firm location," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    3. Lei Li & Ali Cheshmehzangi & Faith Ka Shun Chan & Christopher D. Ives, 2021. "Mapping the Research Landscape of Nature-Based Solutions in Urbanism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-41, April.
    4. Pan, Xian & Yu, Lihong, 2024. "Do China's pilot emissions trading schemes lead to domestic carbon leakage? Perspective from the firm relocation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    5. James Foreman-Peck & Tom Nicholls, 2015. "Inter-regional mobility of entrepreneurial SMEs," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 54(1), pages 57-87, January.
    6. Remme, Roy P. & Meacham, Megan & Pellowe, Kara E. & Andersson, Erik & Guerry, Anne D. & Janke, Benjamin & Liu, Lingling & Lonsdorf, Eric & Li, Meng & Mao, Yuanyuan & Nootenboom, Christopher & Wu, Tong, 2024. "Aligning nature-based solutions with ecosystem services in the urban century," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    7. Tandarić, Neven & Ives, Christopher D. & Watkins, Charles, 2022. "From city in the park to “greenery in plant pots”: The influence of socialist and post-socialist planning on opportunities for cultural ecosystem services," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    8. Nancy Andrea Ramírez-Agudelo & Roger Porcar Anento & Miriam Villares & Elisabet Roca, 2020. "Nature-Based Solutions for Water Management in Peri-Urban Areas: Barriers and Lessons Learned from Implementation Experiences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-36, November.
    9. Yoojin Yi, 2018. "Firm relocation and age-dependent reliance on agglomeration externalities," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 61(2), pages 439-456, September.
    10. Vanessa Hellwig, 2023. "Digital gravity? Firm birth and relocation patterns of young digital firms in Germany," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(2), pages 340-378, March.
    11. Lampón, Jesús F., 2019. "Relocation in conditions of uncertainty: the Spanish automobile components industry during the economic crisis (2008-2012)," MPRA Paper 92738, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Wang, Xiao & Deltas, George & Khanna, Madhu & Bi, Xiang, 2017. "Community Pressure and the Relocation of Toxic Facilities," 2017 Annual Meeting, July 30-August 1, Chicago, Illinois 258390, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    13. Jesús F. Lampón, 2020. "The impact of uncertainty on production relocation: Implications from a regional perspective," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 99(3), pages 427-446, June.
    14. Conroy, Tessa & Deller, Steven & Tsvetkova, Alexandra, 2016. "Regional business climate and interstate manufacturing relocation decisions," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 155-168.
    15. Tessa Conroy & Steven Deller & Alexandra Tsvetkova, 2017. "Interstate Relocation Of Manufacturers And Business Climate," Review of Urban & Regional Development Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(1), pages 18-45, March.
    16. Israa H. Mahmoud & Eugenio Morello & Chiara Vona & Maria Benciolini & Iliriana Sejdullahu & Marina Trentin & Karmele Herranz Pascual, 2021. "Setting the Social Monitoring Framework for Nature-Based Solutions Impact: Methodological Approach and Pre-Greening Measurements in the Case Study from CLEVER Cities Milan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-28, August.
    17. Chloé Duffaut & Nathalie Frascaria-Lacoste & Pierre-Antoine Versini, 2022. "Barriers and Levers for the Implantation of Sustainable Nature-Based Solutions in Cities: Insights from France," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.
    18. Dario Musolino & Ilaria Mariotti & Aleid E. Brouwer, 2020. "Stated and revealed locational preferences of firms: a national scale perspective," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 64(3), pages 493-499, June.
    19. Hai-Ying Liu & Marion Jay & Xianwen Chen, 2021. "The Role of Nature-Based Solutions for Improving Environmental Quality, Health and Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-56, October.
    20. Anet Weterings, 2014. "What Makes Firms Leave the Neighbourhood?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(8), pages 1613-1633, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7466-:d:588391. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.