Paying for cultural ecosystem services: the case of open space sects (Vapostori) in Bulawayo metropolitan province, Zimbabwe
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While religious entities have targeted ecosystem-service producing biodiversity in cities for worship purposes, this human encroachment by the itinerant Open Space Worship (OSW) Sects in Zimbabwe has pushed the frontiers of religion-environment component of the socio-ecological systems framework to conflictual relations. Due to the importance of urban green spaces’ function of carbon sequestration, scholars posit the quality of life in cities depends on locally produced ecosystem services. To ensure the delivery of urban ecosystem services there is need for assorted, multi-functional, and accessible blue and green infrastructure throughout our cities. It underscores the importance of green spaces in cities as key components of the socio-ecological systems framework where the natural forest wood serves as the carbon sink for sequestration and therefore human wellbeing. Anthropocentric OSW activities’ encroachment within these spaces calls for sustainable socio-ecological system management through responsive policies, which can benefit from the payment for ecosystem services using lease agreements and permits for open Worship Parks within cities to control access to the broader socio-ecological system (SESF) assets. All OSW sects studied in the City of Bulawayo use one form or another of ecosystem services and benefits, ranging from the provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural ecosystem services. Open space worship sects are prepared to pay in cash for value accrued from green spaces they use. The study particularly responds to the demands and aspirations of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities, Communities, and SDGOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Keywords: Sustainable cities, communities, ecosystem-service, socio-ecological system, open-space worship sects
ID: 3487348