Situating Green Infrastructure in Context: A Framework for Adaptive Socio-Hydrology in Cities

Area of Science:

• Urban hydrology and socio-hydrological systems.
• Green infrastructure (GI) planning and implementation.
• Multi-stakeholder adaptive management frameworks.

Background:

• Current green infrastructure (GI) management primarily focuses on stormwater, neglecting social dimensions and co-benefits.
• This hydrology-centric approach results in centralized, disconnected urban landscapes and missed opportunities for broader benefits.
• Additional benefits of GI include increased property value, improved aesthetics, heat island mitigation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an integrated socio-hydrological approach for GI planning and implementation.
• To propose a Framework for Adaptive Socio-Hydrology (FrASH) for collaborative, context-guided GI project planning.
• To demonstrate how FrASH can enhance the multi-functionality and resilience of urban systems.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Framework for Adaptive Socio-Hydrology (FrASH).
• Application of FrASH to diverse GI case studies using a graphical Chambered Nautilus model.
• Analysis of multi-stakeholder network dynamics and co-evolving decision-making processes.

Main Results:

• FrASH facilitates an iterative, multifaceted decision-making process involving diverse stakeholders.
• The framework enables the creation of connected, decentralized networks across sectors (governance, NGOs, academia, industry).
• Application to case studies demonstrated enhanced multi-functionality and potential for managing urban system resilience.

Conclusions:

• Integrating social and hydrological dimensions through FrASH moves beyond traditional, purely hydrology-driven GI planning.
• A multi-stakeholder, decentralized network with adaptive planning enhances GI's multi-functionality and urban resilience.
• FrASH offers a scalable model for managing complex urban socio-hydrological systems.