The influence of ecosystem service values on green infrastructure and urban development: insights from 5 Canadian municipalities

To restore critical ecosystem services (ES) often lost during urbanization, municipalities have begun to implement green infrastructure (GI). Much research has addressed the incorporation of ES science into policy. However, there is a paucity of research focused on how ES values, defined as the largely non-monetary preferences of certain ES over others, of private and public stakeholders influence the uptake, design, and mainstreaming of GI through urban development processes. This study uses key informant interviews (<i>n</i> = 28) and document analysis of municipal plans from five Canadian municipalities to understand the role ES values play in shaping urban land development, specifically as it relates to implementation of GI. This study finds that ES values found in planning policy are largely implicit; stakeholder- and context-specific; and, influence how different GI are implemented in decision-making. The two main drivers behind ES values are local ES demand and stakeholder profile. These then influence the type and design of GI. Grounded in urban planning and land use, this paper contributes to literature at the intersection of ES values and urban GI provision; and, aim’s to support policymakers and practitioners working in this space.