V2I12P70

Applications of Green Infrastructure in Urban Stormwater Management: A Comprehensive Review

Monisa Barua^1*     

Abstract

Green infrastructure (GI) has emerged as a transformative approach to urban stormwater management, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional gray infrastructure through integrated nature-based solutions. This comprehensive review examines the applications, performance, design considerations, and implementation frameworks of green and blue-green infrastructure (BGI) systems for urban stormwater management. Through analysis of recent literature and case studies, we demonstrate that GI/BGI systems can reduce annual runoff volumes by 30–70% and peak discharges by 20–60%, while removing 70–95% of total suspended solids and 40–80% of heavy metals. Beyond hydrologic benefits, these systems provide multifunctional co-benefits including urban heat mitigation, biodiversity enhancement, improved water quality, and ecosystem services. The review identifies key GI typologies (green roofs, permeable pavements, bioretention systems, rain gardens, infiltration trenches, and constructed wetlands), optimization strategies, and governance frameworks. Critical challenges including long-term maintenance, climate adaptation uncertainties, social acceptance, and financing mechanisms are examined. The findings highlight that decentralized, multifunctional GI approaches coupled with gray infrastructure provide cost-effective and resilient solutions for climate-adaptive urban water management, particularly in the context of sponge city initiatives worldwide.

Keywords:

Green infrastructure, blue-green infrastructure, stormwater management, urban flooding, nature-based solutions, sustainable drainage systems, climate resilience, ecosystem services