Assessment of Cultural Ecosystem Services and Well-Being: Testing a Method for Evaluating Natural Environment and Contact Types in the Harku Municipality, Estonia

This study examined the evaluation of cultural ecosystem services (CESs) and their impact on well-being in peri-urban areas, using a case Harku municipality, Estonia. CESs, encompassing intangible factors such as emotions values, are crucial for but challenging to assess. To address this, pilot method was developed, involving typology natural environment types (NETs) contact (CTs), assessed by panel local experts. The results revealed that “spiritual, historic, symbolic” gardens exhibited strong positive connection well-being. Blue green spaces offering physical activities aesthetics were also highly rated. Surprisingly, cemeteries scored higher than expected. Agreement among experts varied, with “parks + sporting” showing near-perfect consensus weaker agreement found food production”, “blue providing gathering places”, “green landscape elements education”, highlighting diverse expert perspectives identifying suitable combinations NETs CTs. addresses research-to-practice gaps methodological challenges applying CESs within planning frameworks, valuable insights managing conserving areas. By testing proposed method, this research contributes better understanding how can be effectively integrated into processes, fostering sustainable peri-urbanised regions.