Abstract
The use of vegetation and infiltration into soils to manage stormwater and water quality—called green stormwater infrastructure (GSI)—is now widely recognized as a viable alternative or supplement to the pipes and pumps of conventional, or “gray”, drainage infrastructure. Over the years, much research has emerged regarding spatial aspects of GSI implemented at large scales, including where it is located, where it should be located, and what metrics best represent the benefits it brings to different locations. Research in these areas involves expertise from multiple academic disciplines, but it is unclear whether and how researchers from different disciplines identify and approach questions related to the spatiality of GSI. By adopting the explanatory sequential mixed method design, we identified four categories of spatial GSI studies through a literature review of over 120 research papers: empirical, ecological, decision support systems, and optimization. Here, we present representative examples of these categories of spatial GSI studies, as well as associations between the academic disciplines represented in these categories of spatial GSI papers. Then, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a sample of GSI researchers which revealed the value of interdisciplinary training and knowledge. Finally, in this paper, we identify several gaps that could be addressed to improve interdisciplinary research on GSI implementation, and sustainability transitions in general.
Highlights
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is becoming an increasingly popular approach to overcoming the limitations of traditional gray infrastructure systems that are facing issues of deferred maintenance and are unable to adequately manage stormwater under conditions of climate and land use change
We set out to understand the types of interdisciplinarity in spatial green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) research by proposing three research questions
In response to RQ1, we reviewed 127 articles to develop commonly occurring “types” of studies, including stated motivations, assumptions, and methodological approaches
Summary
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is becoming an increasingly popular approach to overcoming the limitations of traditional gray infrastructure systems that are facing issues of deferred maintenance and are unable to adequately manage stormwater under conditions of climate and land use change. With the growing acceptance of GSI, questions are shifting from whether or not cities should implement GSI to more practical issues, such as where it tends to be located, where it should be located, and how GSI networks can be planned and designed so that they create the maximum benefits for communities [5,6,7]. These questions address the spatiality of GSI as a network, rather than individual best management practices. Despite being an evocative concept, the widespread implementation of green infrastructure faces challenges of urban governance and physical and social path dependence. This results in barriers to implementation: the path dependence of gray infrastructure obstructs the implementation of green infrastructure by government officials and the greater public [18]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
