On the distance to recreational forests in Sweden

There is a strong tradition in Sweden of using forested areas for recreatio n. Earlier research has shown that on average, Swedes visit a forest at lea st every other week. This study surveyed 1000 randomly chosen individuals a bout their present distance. and what they considered to be the preferred ( ideal) distance, between their residence and the closest recreational fores t. Attitudes towards an increase in the present distance are studied togeth er with an economic measure using the contingent valuation method. We found that over 40% of the Swedish population would prefer a shorter distance to the forest, and argue that residential areas should be planned so that mos t individuals have the closest recreational forest within walking distance (<1 km). In general, we found a shortage of housing possibilities within 1 km from recreational forests in Sweden. Forty-five percent of all responden ts considered an increased distance to the forest (doubled) as negative. Th e probability of giving a positive willingness to pay bid to avoid an incre ase in the distance increases with the respondent's present distance to the forest. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights resented.