What are the common challenges and opportunities for green infrastructure implementation and maintenance?

1 Regulatory context

One of the main challenges for GI implementation is the regulatory context, which can vary widely across different jurisdictions, scales, and sectors. Depending on the location, GI may be required, encouraged, or discouraged by various laws, codes, standards, incentives, or disincentives. For example, some cities have stormwater fees or credits that can influence the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of GI. Other cities may have strict zoning or design regulations that limit the options or flexibility of GI. Therefore, it is important to understand the regulatory context and the potential barriers and opportunities for GI in each site and project.

2 Site suitability

Another challenge for GI implementation is the site suitability, which depends on the physical, biological, and social characteristics of the site and its surroundings. Some of the factors that affect the site suitability include the soil type, slope, drainage, infiltration, vegetation, wildlife, climate, hydrology, land use, ownership, access, and aesthetics. These factors can determine the type, size, location, and performance of GI, as well as the potential impacts and benefits for the site and the environment. Therefore, it is important to conduct a comprehensive site assessment and analysis to identify the site suitability and the optimal GI solutions for each site and project.

3 Design integration

A third challenge for GI implementation is the design integration, which involves the coordination and collaboration of different disciplines, stakeholders, and goals. GI can have multiple functions and benefits, but it can also create trade-offs and conflicts with other design elements or objectives. For example, GI can reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality, but it can also reduce the available space for parking or recreation. GI can enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of a site, but it can also require more maintenance and management than conventional infrastructure. Therefore, it is important to balance the design integration and the trade-offs and conflicts of GI with other design aspects and considerations.

4 Implementation cost

A fourth challenge for GI implementation is the implementation cost, which includes the capital, operational, and maintenance costs of GI. GI can have higher upfront costs than conventional infrastructure, due to the materials, labor, engineering, and permitting involved. However, GI can also have lower operational and maintenance costs than conventional infrastructure, due to the reduced energy use, water consumption, and waste generation. Moreover, GI can have additional benefits that are not captured by the conventional cost-benefit analysis, such as the increased property value, health, well-being, biodiversity, and climate adaptation. Therefore, it is important to consider the full life-cycle cost and value of GI and the potential sources of funding and financing for GI projects.

5 Maintenance practices

A fifth challenge for GI implementation is the maintenance practices, which include the monitoring, inspection, repair, replacement, and enhancement of GI. GI requires regular and appropriate maintenance to ensure its functionality, performance, and longevity. However, GI maintenance can face some challenges, such as the lack of awareness, knowledge, skills, resources, or responsibility among the owners, managers, or users of GI. For example, some GI features may be neglected, damaged, or removed by improper actions or inactions. Other GI features may need adaptive management to respond to changing conditions or needs. Therefore, it is important to establish and implement effective maintenance practices and plans for GI and to engage and educate the owners, managers, and users of GI.