Study on the willingness-to-pay of the Flemish population for the conservation of built heritage

The Flemish Agency Immovable Heritage commissioned a study to measure the willingness-to-pay of the Flemish population for the conservation of built heritage in the municipality they live. The goal of the study is to measure the value that the local population attributes to heritage sites in their immediate surroundings, using quantitative research methods.

The research questioned that steered this research were:

1. Which places with heritage values do people know in their immediate surroundings?
2. How do they use and experience these places?
3. How do they value these place from a qualitative point of view?
4. What is the average willingness-to-pay of the Flemish people for the conservation of places with heritage value, in relation to the frequency of use, type of use, and type of heritage?

A large scale survey was done in two phases in which more than 3000 people were questioned. The results were translated into policy guidelines and are published by the agency Immovable Heritage.