Public Perception of Ecosystem Benefits of Green Stormwater Infrastructure

In China, climate change and the rapid conversion of rural lands and people into urban environments have brought a wide range of challenges, including the drastic deterioration of the nation’s water environment. Severe flooding and water quality impairment have become one of the most pressing environmental issues in recent years. The Sponge City Development (SCD) initiative was launched in 2014 to address severe urban flooding and water quality challenges in China. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) such as rain gardens have been adopted as critical stormwater management tools. GSI can provide a series of environmental and social benefits to the public, such as stormwater infiltration and purification, educational and recreational opportunities, and aesthetic value.

Existing research has focused primarily on the environmental performance of GSI, which overlooks the human dimensions. In particular, the co-benefits of GSI perceived by the public have been particularly under-investigated. Using questionnaire surveys and expert interviews, this research reveals the limited services that GSI effectively produces and provides recommendations for improving GSI effectiveness.