Blue and Green Cities: The Role of Blue-Green Infrastructure in Managing Urban Water Resources

This revised and updated book explores urban policy innovations that promote the application of blue-green infrastructure in managing water resources sustainably, with case studies of leading cities implementing various policy tools to reduce stormwater runoff, enhance waterway health, and meet regulatory requirements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 255 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Urban Policy Innovations for Sustainable Water Resource Management: A Comprehensive Guide to Blue-Green Infrastructure
Urban policy innovations have emerged as a crucial tool in promoting the application of blue-green infrastructure (BGI) in managing water resources sustainably. Since the first edition of this book was published, nature-based solutions, including BGI, have gained widespread recognition as effective strategies for addressing various societal challenges, including mitigating climatic extremes in cities while restoring the natural environment and enhancing biodiversity. This new edition provides updated research on urban policy innovations that promote the application of BGI in managing water resources sustainably.

Case studies are included in the book to illustrate how cities of differing climates, lifestyles, and income levels have implemented policy innovations that promote the application of BGI in managing water, wastewater, and stormwater sustainably to enhance resilience to climate change and reduce environmental degradation. The seven case studies are leading cities that have implemented various fiscal and non-fiscal policy tools to encourage the implementation of BGI on both public and private property to reduce stormwater runoff volumes, enhance the health of waterways, enhance resilience to climate change, and meet regulatory requirements.

One of the key challenges facing cities is the management of stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff can cause flooding, erosion, and pollution, which can have negative impacts on the environment and public health. BGI can help to mitigate these impacts by absorbing and filtering stormwater, reducing the amount of runoff that enters waterways, and improving the quality of water.

BGI can be implemented in a variety of ways, including green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable pavement. Green roofs are roofs that are covered with vegetation, which can help to absorb and filter stormwater, reduce the amount of heat that is absorbed by buildings, and improve the aesthetics of the city. Rain gardens are gardens that are designed to capture and filter stormwater, which can help to reduce the amount of runoff that enters waterways and improve the quality of water. Permeable pavement is pavement that allows water to flow through it, which can help to reduce the amount of runoff that enters waterways and improve the quality of water.

In addition to reducing stormwater runoff, BGI can also help to enhance the health of waterways. Waterways that are healthy and clean can support a wide range of aquatic life, which can in turn support human health and well-being. BGI can help to improve the health of waterways by providing habitat for aquatic life, reducing the amount of pollution that enters waterways, and improving the quality of water.

BGI can also help to enhance resilience to climate change. Climate change is causing more frequent and severe weather events, which can have negative impacts on cities. BGI can help to mitigate these impacts by providing a buffer against extreme weather events, reducing the amount of runoff that enters waterways, and improving the quality of water.

However, implementing BGI can be challenging. Many cities face financial constraints, and the implementation of BGI can require significant upfront costs. Additionally, BGI can require significant maintenance and upkeep, which can be difficult for cities to manage.

To address these challenges, cities can implement a variety of fiscal and non-fiscal policy tools. Fiscal policy tools include grants, loans, and tax incentives, which can help to finance the implementation of BGI. Non-fiscal policy tools include regulations, policies, and programs, which can help to promote the implementation of BGI.

One of the most effective fiscal policy tools for promoting the implementation of BGI is the use of green infrastructure bonds. Green infrastructure bonds are bonds that are issued by governments or other organizations to finance the implementation of BGI. These bonds can provide a low-cost source of funding for BGI projects, and they can also help to attract private investment to BGI projects.

In addition to green infrastructure bonds, cities can also implement regulations, policies, and programs to promote the implementation of BGI. For example, cities can require developers to include BGI in their development plans, and they can provide incentives for developers to include BGI in their development plans. Cities can also provide incentives for homeowners to include BGI in their homes, such as tax credits or rebates.

However, it is important to ensure that BGI is implemented in a sustainable manner. BGI can have negative impacts on the environment if it is not implemented in a sustainable manner. For example, if BGI is not properly maintained, it can become clogged with debris, which can reduce its effectiveness.

To ensure that BGI is implemented in a sustainable manner, cities can implement a variety of measures. For example, cities can require developers to maintain BGI in a sustainable manner, and they can provide incentives for homeowners to maintain BGI in a sustainable manner. Cities can also provide training and education to homeowners and developers to help them understand the benefits of BGI and how to implement it in a sustainable manner.

In conclusion, urban policy innovations have emerged as a crucial tool in promoting the application of blue-green infrastructure in managing water resources sustainably. Since the first edition of this book was published, nature-based solutions, including BGI, have gained widespread recognition as effective strategies for addressing various societal challenges, including mitigating climatic extremes in cities while restoring the natural environment and enhancing biodiversity. This new edition provides updated research on urban policy innovations that promote the application of BGI in managing water resources sustainably. Case studies are included in the book to illustrate how cities of differing climates, lifestyles, and income levels have implemented policy innovations that promote the application of BGI in managing water, wastewater, and stormwater sustainably to enhance resilience to climate change and reduce environmental degradation. By implementing a variety of fiscal and non-fiscal policy tools, cities can ensure that BGI is implemented in a sustainable manner and that its benefits are maximized.

Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031413926
Edition number: 2nd ed. 2023