Abstract
Waterside space is commonly considered to have various environmental values. Local government bodies in Japan have been carrying out environmental development projects to enhance such values. This study tried to estimate environmental benefits derived from recreational activities at waterside spaces by using the environmental economics techniques. For two study areas, the environmental benefits and the cost including construction cost and maintenance cost were calculated. Based on comparison between the cost and the environmental benefits, validity of the environmental development project was examined. As a result, the following points were concluded. 1) Value of consumer's surplus was found between 500 and 600 yen. 2) The investment cost of the waterside environmental development of the two study area were found at appropriate level in comparison with the environmental benefits. 3) It was confirmed that the waterside environmental development projects were effective to materialize potentially existing environmental values of waterside.
