Scenarios for BGI implementation on catchment scale: socio-economic assessment of benefits

Blue and Green Infrastructure (BGI) is considered to be among the most promising solutions for stormwater management in urban areas. For smooth introduction of new technologies into routine procedures, decision-makers need more information about direct and indirect benefits, provided by BGI.

Combination of technical, environmental, and socio-economic aspects in the decision-making process ensures identification of optimum solutions for the society and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals on the local level. For deeper understanding of socio-economic and environmental benefits, in our project Benefits Estimation Tool - B£ST is used.

B£ST was developed by CIRIA (UK) and is a structured approach for assessment of various types of benefits of blue and green infrastructure. This methodology includes monetized and non-monetized benefit categories and provides one option to receive monetary assessment of alternatives for long-term planning. It covers three groups of benefits: environmental (e.g. ground water recharge, water quality and quantity), social (e.g. amenity, health, education, recreation) and economic (e.g. attractiveness for investments).

We perform an assessment of long-term benefits for various BGI implementation scenarios along three scales: spatial, complexity/naturalness and time. Such integrated approach will make contribution into the dialogue with various stakeholders and scientific support for decision-makers.

Kateryna Utkina, Godecke-Tobias Blecken and Maria Viklander