
Cost-benefit analysis
Investments and measures in stormwater management usually have relatively long life-times and are thereby sensitive to future uncertainties (e.g. climate change, changed regulations, changed public expectations). Given the multidisciplinary, integrated character of stormwater management using blue/green infrastructure, an integrated assessment is challenging.
In this research, an economic decision model, namely cost-benefit analysis (CBA), is used to evaluate and prioritize different blue/green infrastructure systems with the aim to aid the decision-making process regarding stormwater management. Available tools for valuing multiple benefits of blue/green infrastructure are e.g., TEEB and B£sT (developed in the Netherlands and the UK, respectively). Since published results cannot be readily translated to Swedish cases, a CBA was performed for a Swedish case. This enables evaluation of the multiple benefits of two scenarios with blue/green infrastructure in comparison with one traditional infrastructure scenario for Swedish cases in comparison with a baselien.
The results show that public health and amenity are the most significant benefits from blue/green infrastructure besides the technical benefits flood protection or water quality treatment which underlines the need for integrated stormwater management to achieve multi-functional benefits. The public health aspect of local, inner city green infrastructure is underlined by the current “lockdown” actions in many countries which reduce the mobility of many people.
Investments and measures in stormwater management usually have relatively long life-times and are thereby sensitive to climate change and climate extremes. For proper and accurate decision making regarding these topics, planning is essential. However, the decision making process concerning the economic issues of stormwater management is often unclear. In this topic, an economic decision model, namely Cost-Benefit analysis (CBA), is used to evaluate and prioritize different sustainable urban drainage systems with the aim to aid the decision-making process regarding stormwater management.
It also raises questions concerning responsibility and financing (often water departments) versus benefits of blue-green infrastructure. Tools such as B£ST or TEEB can be helpful to water authorities to highlight additional benefits in discussion with other decision makers and funders (e.g. other departments in a municipal administration).
DRIZZLE Partner Luleå municipality External link.
Godecke-Tobias Blecken, Richard Ashley and Maria Viklander
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Godecke-Tobias Blecken
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