Generational heterogeneity of preferences for urban green infrastructure

Urban green infrastructure (UGI) is recognized as a promising strategy for enhancing urban environmental and social sustainability. However, effective planning requires more than expanding green coverage; it must reflect diverse user preferences and underlying perceived value dimensions. This study investigates how perceived value dimensions shape generational preferences for UGI in Seoul, a densely built city facing environmental challenges. By integrating behavioral heterogeneity into urban environmental planning, the study identifies how intergenerational differences in perceived value dimensions are associated with urban greening preferences, with implications for inclusive and adaptive policy design. A two-stage framework captures the role of perceived value dimensions in linking demographic characteristics and preference structures, offering insights for generation-specific planning strategies that support sustainable urban development. Results indicated distinct associations: rooftop and vertical greening aligned with physical and economic benefits; podium gardens aligned with social benefits; balcony gardens showed more mixed associations. Between-wave comparisons showed more multidimensional perceived value patterns in the more recent wave, particularly among younger generations, while multiple value dimensions were also observed within individual age groups. These findings suggest the utility of flexible, user-centered design strategies. By linking value dimensions to design strategies grounded in preference patterns, the study provides practical insights into green infrastructure planning in high-density cities with heterogeneous generational preference structures.