Exploring public attitudes toward implementing green infrastructure for sponge city stormwater management

Area of Science:

• Urban Planning
• Environmental Science
• Water Management

Background:

• Sponge City Green Infrastructure (SCGI) is crucial for sustainable stormwater management in China.
• Existing research primarily focuses on SCGI technical aspects, neglecting public perception.
• Understanding public views is vital for effective SCSM strategy implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess public perceptions of SCGI.
• To evaluate the perceived value of SCGI's ecosystem services.
• To explore potential financial compensation methods for SCSM.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted in five Northeastern Chinese cities with 1,534 participants.
• Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for data analysis.
• Investigated correlations between socio-demographics, flood experience, and perceptions.

Main Results:

• No significant link found between socio-demographic factors and understanding of stormwater management.
• Public valuation of ecosystem services revealed distinct priorities.
• Homeownership and prior flood experiences influenced valuation of specific services.
• A positive public attitude towards investing in SCSM, especially via stormwater fees, was observed.

Conclusions:

• Sponge city stormwater management (SCSM) concepts are broadly accessible.
• Public engagement and understanding of SCGI benefits are key for successful implementation.
• Diverse financial models, including stormwater fees, are viable for funding SCSM.
• Findings support policymakers in developing sustainable and resilient urban water management.