The PhD examines the importance and value of coasts for human well-being and makes steps towards developing an approach upon which to base future policy evaluations.

The research is funded by the NERC GW4+ DTP and is conducted in conjunction with Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

The project compares and contrasts estimates of the well-being properties of marine and coastal environments using two different approaches to measuring well-being: (i) the Contingent Valuation Method and (ii) the Life Satisfaction Approach.

Project objectives:

1. To conduct a review of literature to compare, contrast and critique the two approaches to measuring well-being, with particular reference to the marine and coastal environment.

2. To conduct primary data collection, using a repeat cross-sectional survey to assess the impact of the Teat’s Hill renovation project on the well-being of local residents using the two different approaches. The research is in collaboration with the BlueHealth project.

3. To work with local stakeholders through all stages of the process to ensure that the exercise is both meaningful to participants and can aid future policy making with respect to providing support for coastal regeneration projects on well-being grounds.

Environmental policies increasingly encourage the use of environmental valuation and cost-benefit analysis. Despite this, there is still debate into the most appropriate valuation method, upon which to base planning and policy evaluations. The PhD also makes a theoretical contribution, by comparing two approaches to measuring well-being benefits from marine and coastal environments.