Valuing structured alternatives for retrofitting blue-green infrastructure at a catchment scale using the Benefit Estimation Tool (B£ST)

Abstract

Blue-green infrastructure (BGI) options are considered to be more sustainable practices for water management and bring a range of benefits over and above water management. Davidshall in Malm & ouml;, Sweden, has been used as a case area to assess the multiple benefits of implementing BGI, considering seven alternative BGI schemes systematically developed along two scales: naturalness (i.e. more/less engineered/complex) and spatial distribution (e.g. decentral vs. end-of-pipe). The baseline alternative was the existing situation. The Benefit Estimation Tool (B ST) pound was used to carry out a socio-economic assessment. The overall benefits varied significantly (two orders of magnitude), depending on the BGI scheme implemented: the greatest values were associated with natural decentral, natural decentral/end-of-pipe, and engineered decentral/end-of-pipe alternatives, those including sub-surface and open dry detention, stormwater tree pits, and rain gardens. The three B ST pound categories providing the greatest benefits were enhancing amenity, benefiting health, and reducing flooding. Cultural ecosystem services were provided by all alternatives, and two alternatives (natural decentral and natural decentral/end-of-pipe) also provided regulating ecosystem services. The study showed that amenity and health were the most significant benefits of BGI implementation, contrasting with the main aim of BGI implementation, which was stormwater management (water quality and flood protection).

Keywords

Benefit Estimation Tool; blue-green infrastructure; catchment scale; naturalness scale; social benefits; spatial scale

Published in

Blue-Green Systems
2025, volume: 7, number: 1, pages: 139-155
Publisher: IWA PUBLISHING

SLU Authors

• Sun, Zhengdong

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Deak Sjöman, Johanna

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Randrup, Thomas

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Water Engineering
Oceanography, Hydrology, Water Resources

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/bgs.2025.022

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/143017