Abstract
Local governments have to promote town development which considers not only the local residents' needs but also the global environmental impact, since various activities in a region can have a diverse range of effect on the global environment. It is important to grasp quantitatively the benefits to residents and the environmental influences brought about by town development, and be able to compare them for use in decision-making and for making improvements. The concept of eco-efficiency was thought to be an effective way to achieve this objective. In this study, the eco-efficiency of town development was analysed through the use of life cycle environmental impact assessment (LCIA) and by looking at the preferences of residents. The life cycle environmental impact was estimated by using “Life-cycle Impact assessment Method based on Endpoint modeling (LIME)” while the residents' preferences were quantified using conjoint analysis, and the results compared. The method was then used in the town development of Taki, a town in Mie Prefecture.
