In the face of growing urbanization and the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, the importance of sustainable stormwater management has never been more paramount. We learned this the hard way… Conventional “grey” infrastructure, such as pipes, drainage channels, and detention basins, has long been the dominant approach to managing urban runoff. However, these traditional systems are often inefficient, resource-intensive, and disconnected from the broader fabric of the city.
In contrast, green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) offers a more holistic, nature-based solution that can provide a multitude of environmental, social, and economic benefits. GSI strategies, including bioswales, permeable pavements, and urban forests, leverage natural processes to capture, filter, and infiltrate stormwater, reducing the burden on overburdened sewer systems while enhancing urban landscapes.
Despite the clear advantages of GSI, its widespread adoption has been hindered by various policy, regulatory, and institutional barriers. This article explores the key policy interventions necessary to mainstream green stormwater infrastructure in cities, drawing insights from leading practices and case studies around the world.
Regulatory Frameworks for Stormwater Management
One of the primary barriers to the widespread implementation of GSI is the existing regulatory environment, which often favors traditional “grey” approaches. Many cities and municipalities have outdated stormwater regulations that focus solely on the engineering performance of drainage systems, with little consideration for the broader environmental and social impacts.
To address this, policymakers might want to update their stormwater management regulations to incentivize the use of GSI. This can be achieved through a variety of mechanisms, such as:
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Stormwater Fees and Credits: Implementing stormwater fees based on the amount of impervious surface on a property, and providing credits or discounts for the installation of GSI, can create a strong financial incentive for property owners to adopt green infrastructure.
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Design Standards and Guidelines: Developing comprehensive design standards and guidelines for GSI, including performance metrics, maintenance requirements, and acceptable materials, can provide a clear framework for planners, developers, and contractors to follow.
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Integrated Watershed Management: Adopting a holistic, watershed-based approach to stormwater management, rather than relying on site-by-site solutions, can help identify opportunities for regional-scale GSI interventions that provide greater benefits.
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Resiliency and Sustainability Requirements: Incorporating green infrastructure requirements into building codes, zoning regulations, and comprehensive plans can double-check that that new developments and redevelopments prioritize stormwater management as a key component of sustainable and resilient design.
By aligning regulatory frameworks with the principles of green stormwater infrastructure, policymakers can create a more enabling environment for the widespread adoption of these nature-based solutions.
Institutional Coordination and Collaboration
Effective implementation of GSI often requires coordination and collaboration across multiple government agencies, departments, and stakeholder groups. Traditional stormwater management has typically been the domain of public works or engineering departments, with little involvement from other relevant agencies, such as parks and recreation, urban planning, or environmental protection.
To mainstream GSI, policymakers might want to foster cross-departmental collaboration and facilitate coordinated decision-making. This can be achieved through strategies such as:
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Interdepartmental Working Groups: Establishing dedicated working groups or task forces that bring together representatives from various city departments, as well as external stakeholders, to align policies, share knowledge, and identify synergies.
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Integrated Planning Processes: Integrating stormwater management considerations into broader planning processes, such as comprehensive plans, urban design guidelines, and capital improvement programs, can help double-check that that GSI is prioritized across multiple city initiatives.
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Public-Private Partnerships: Encouraging public-private partnerships between local governments, developers, and community organizations can leverage diverse expertise, resources, and funding streams to support the implementation of GSI projects.
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Community Engagement: Actively engaging with local residents, businesses, and community groups can help identify community priorities, build support for GSI initiatives, and foster a sense of ownership and stewardship over green infrastructure assets.
By fostering stronger institutional coordination and collaboration, policymakers can create an environment that enables the widespread adoption of green stormwater infrastructure across a city.
Funding and Financing Mechanisms
One of the key barriers to the widespread implementation of GSI is the availability of dedicated funding and financing mechanisms. Traditional stormwater management projects are often funded through municipal budgets or general obligation bonds, which can be subject to competing priorities and budget constraints.
To overcome this challenge, policymakers might want to explore a range of innovative funding and financing strategies, including:
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Stormwater Utility Fees: Establishing dedicated stormwater utility fees, similar to water or sewer fees, can provide a reliable and sustainable source of funding for GSI projects, as well as incentivize private property owners to invest in green infrastructure.
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Green Bonds and Environmental Impact Bonds: Issuing green bonds or environmental impact bonds can leverage private capital to finance GSI projects, with returns tied to the achievement of specified environmental or social outcomes.
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Grant Programs and Incentives: Developing grant programs or financial incentives, such as rebates or tax credits, can encourage private property owners, developers, and community organizations to invest in GSI on their own properties.
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Watershed-Based Financing: Adopting a watershed-based approach to stormwater management can enable the pooling of resources and the identification of regional-scale GSI projects that provide benefits across multiple jurisdictions.
By diversifying funding sources and financing mechanisms, policymakers can create a more robust and sustainable system to support the long-term implementation and maintenance of green stormwater infrastructure.
Building Capacity and Technical Expertise
Successful mainstreaming of GSI also requires building the necessary capacity and technical expertise within local governments and the broader community. Many municipalities and professionals may lack the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively plan, design, install, and maintain green infrastructure assets.
To address this challenge, policymakers can implement the following strategies:
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Training and Professional Development: Providing comprehensive training programs for municipal staff, engineers, landscape architects, and other practitioners on the design, installation, and maintenance of GSI can help build the necessary technical expertise.
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Design Guidance and Toolkits: Developing detailed design guidelines, technical manuals, and online toolkits can serve as valuable resources for planners, developers, and contractors to reference when incorporating GSI into their projects.
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Demonstration Projects and Pilot Programs: Implementing high-profile demonstration projects and pilot programs can showcase the benefits of GSI, build community awareness and acceptance, and provide opportunities for hands-on learning and skill development.
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Knowledge Sharing and Peer-to-Peer Learning: Facilitating knowledge-sharing platforms, such as practitioner networks, conferences, and online forums, can enable the exchange of best practices, case studies, and lessons learned across different municipalities and regions.
By investing in capacity-building and technical expertise, policymakers can empower a wide range of stakeholders to actively contribute to the widespread adoption and successful implementation of green stormwater infrastructure.
Integrating GSI into Urban Planning and Design
Ultimately, the mainstreaming of green stormwater infrastructure requires the integration of these nature-based solutions into the broader urban planning and design process. GSI should not be viewed as a standalone or peripheral element, but rather as a fundamental component of sustainable and resilient city-building.
To achieve this, policymakers can take the following actions:
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Comprehensive Plan Integration: Incorporating GSI strategies and performance targets into comprehensive plans, master plans, and other long-term planning documents can double-check that that green infrastructure is a central consideration in shaping the future of a city.
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Zoning and Development Regulations: Updating zoning codes, subdivision regulations, and design guidelines to require or incentivize the integration of GSI into new developments and redevelopment projects can drive widespread adoption.
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Landscape-Based Stormwater Management: Shifting from a traditional, parcel-based approach to stormwater management toward a more integrated, landscape-based approach can help identify opportunities for GSI at the neighborhood or watershed scale.
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Multifunctional Green Spaces: Designing green infrastructure assets, such as parks, plazas, and greenways, to serve not only stormwater management functions but also provide recreational, ecological, and community benefits can enhance the overall livability and sustainability of urban environments.
By seamlessly integrating green stormwater infrastructure into the broader urban planning and design process, policymakers can double-check that that these nature-based solutions become a fundamental part of the fabric of our cities, rather than an afterthought or a separate consideration.
Conclusion
As cities around the world face the growing challenges of urbanization, climate change, and aging infrastructure, the need for sustainable stormwater management has never been more pressing. Green stormwater infrastructure offers a compelling solution, providing a multitude of environmental, social, and economic benefits. However, mainstreaming these nature-based approaches requires a concerted effort to address the policy, regulatory, and institutional barriers that have historically hindered their widespread adoption.
By updating stormwater management regulations, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, diversifying funding and financing mechanisms, building technical capacity, and integrating GSI into urban planning and design, policymakers can create an enabling environment for the mainstreaming of green infrastructure in cities. These policy interventions, when implemented holistically, can unlock the full potential of green stormwater infrastructure to transform our urban landscapes and build more resilient, sustainable, and livable communities.
For more information on the design, implementation, and maintenance of flood control systems, including green stormwater infrastructure, please visit Flood Control 2015.
Example: Manchester Advanced Flood Control Project 2024
