Outdated water infrastructure and changing weather patterns mean more urban flooding and water pollution, which hurt underserved communities most. Green infrastructure is the use of vibrant natural systems to manage water right where it falls. It is being embraced around the world because of its rich economic, community, and environmental benefits.
Economic benefits
- Reduced Costs: Water bills can be reduced when property owners earn stormwater credits, and landscape spending can decrease with lower-maintenance designs.
- Property Values: Declining property values stabilize, leading homeowners to stay in their homes.
- Long-term Jobs: New construction and long-term maintenance jobs are created and associated training programs are developed.
Community benefits
- Safety: Well designed and maintained green spaces create safer gathering spaces with more eyes on the street, reducing crime.
- Health: Health and healing rates improve, especially for respiratory, stress and physical activity‐related conditions.
- Community Cohesion: Community relationships strengthen through access to reflective and inviting outdoor spaces.
Environmental benefits
- Air Quality: Air quality improves when small bits of dust, chemicals, and metals that contaminate the air we breathe are filtered and stored by trees and vegetation.
- Carbon Reduction: Carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, reduces when it is captured and stored by soil and vegetation.
- Biodiversity: Biodiversity flourishes when new habitats allows bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile, and insect populations to grow.
