virkistysarvon

Virkistysarvo refers to the recreational value or enjoyment that people derive from landscapes, natural environments, and spaces designed for leisure. It includes opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking, as well as aesthetic appreciation and the mental well-being gained from being in nature or in well-designed urban green spaces.

In planning and policy, virkistysarvo is a non-market value used to weigh land-use alternatives, conserve landscapes, and guide the development of parks, recreation areas, and environmental protections. It is typically assessed alongside ecological value and economic value, and can be described qualitatively or estimated through economic valuation methods when feasible.

Measurement and indicators: Virkistysarvo can be quantified using methods such as travel-cost and contingent valuation studies, or assessed with indicators like accessibility, proximity to population centers, network of trails and facilities, safety, maintenance, water and landscape quality, biodiversity, and the presence of heritage or cultural features. Valuation is challenging due to non-market aspects and distributional considerations.

In Finland, virkistysarvon considerations appear in municipal planning, park management, and national-level documents. Authorities such as Metsähallitus and the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) work with concepts related to virkistyskäyttö (recreational use) and virkistysalue (recreation area) to promote and manage recreational opportunities.

Examples include national parks, lakeside beaches, urban parks, nature trails, and protected shorelines that attract residents and visitors for leisure.