The Role of Green Infrastructure in Providing Ecosystem Services in Urban Areas: A Study on Public Willingness to Participate in Hue City

Abstract

As urbanization and economic development progress, nature-based solutions like green infrastructure (GI) are increasingly recognized for their role in providing ecosystem services (ES) in urban areas. This study employs an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, integrating analyses of health perception and flood impact on individuals’ willingness to financially contribute to the construction and enhancement of comprehensive GI systems. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and mediation analysis, data from 376 residents in Hue City reveal that attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control positively influence willingness to pay and support GI development. These factors also mediate the relationship between flood perception, health benefits, and intention to contribute financially. This result highlights the need to enhance awareness of flood impacts and the health benefits associated with GI, while also reinforcing positive attitudes toward comprehensive GI initiatives to foster support for GI-based solutions aimed at building a green and sustainably adaptive urban environments.