As global urbanization accelerates, cities are increasingly confronted with multifaceted challenges, including climate change impacts, biodiversity loss, and the provision of essential ecosystem services. Traditional grey infrastructure, while foundational, often proves insufficient in addressing these complex issues. This research posits that strategically integrated green and blue elements - encompassing parks, urban forests, wetlands, permeable pavements, and sustainable drainage systems - offer a synergistic approach to infrastructure planning. These natural and semi-natural systems are not merely aesthetic additions but critical components for enhancing the functional capacity of urban environments. They play a crucial role in mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving air and water quality, managing storm water runoff, and fostering biodiversity, thereby creating healthier and more livable urban ecosystems. Furthermore, the integration of these natural assets contributes to a more adaptable and robust urban fabric, capable of withstanding and recovering from environmental shocks and stresses. The paper explores the theoretical underpinnings and empirical evidence supporting the deployment of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) within urban planning frameworks, highlighting their capacity to deliver multiple co-benefits that transcend singular engineering solutions. By moving beyond a purely technocentric approach, this work advocates for a paradigm shift towards a more holistic and integrated infrastructure development model that recognizes the intrinsic value and functional performance of natural systems. Blue infrastructure, such as restored wetlands and bioswales, further augments storm water management capabilities, filtering pollutants and recharging groundwater aquifers. Beyond hydrological benefits, green infrastructure contributes to social resilience by providing spaces for recreation, community engagement, and mental well-being, fostering social cohesion and a sense of place. Economically, investments in green and blue infrastructure can yield significant returns through reduced costs associated with flood damage, water treatment, and healthcare, while also stimulating local economies through green job creation and increased property values.
| Published in | American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 14, Issue 5) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.ajep.20251405.17 |
| Page(s) | 237-246 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Green Infrastructure, Blue Infrastructure, Urban Resilience, Infrastructure Development, Climate Change Adaptation, Nature-Based Solutions, Urban Planning, Sustainable Cities, Urban Water Management, Wetlands
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APA Style
Aluvihara, S., Soren, S., Pestano-Gupta, F., Merzazadah, A. (2025). Role of Green Spaces and Blue Infrastructure in Infrastructure Development and Urban Resilience: A Review. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 14(5), 237-246. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251405.17
ACS Style
Aluvihara, S.; Soren, S.; Pestano-Gupta, F.; Merzazadah, A. Role of Green Spaces and Blue Infrastructure in Infrastructure Development and Urban Resilience: A Review. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2025, 14(5), 237-246. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.20251405.17
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Download@article{10.11648/j.ajep.20251405.17,
author = {Suresh Aluvihara and Sabita Soren and Ferial Pestano-Gupta and Ainullah Merzazadah},
title = {Role of Green Spaces and Blue Infrastructure in Infrastructure Development and Urban Resilience: A Review
},
journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
volume = {14},
number = {5},
pages = {237-246},
doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.20251405.17},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251405.17},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.20251405.17},
abstract = {As global urbanization accelerates, cities are increasingly confronted with multifaceted challenges, including climate change impacts, biodiversity loss, and the provision of essential ecosystem services. Traditional grey infrastructure, while foundational, often proves insufficient in addressing these complex issues. This research posits that strategically integrated green and blue elements - encompassing parks, urban forests, wetlands, permeable pavements, and sustainable drainage systems - offer a synergistic approach to infrastructure planning. These natural and semi-natural systems are not merely aesthetic additions but critical components for enhancing the functional capacity of urban environments. They play a crucial role in mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving air and water quality, managing storm water runoff, and fostering biodiversity, thereby creating healthier and more livable urban ecosystems. Furthermore, the integration of these natural assets contributes to a more adaptable and robust urban fabric, capable of withstanding and recovering from environmental shocks and stresses. The paper explores the theoretical underpinnings and empirical evidence supporting the deployment of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) within urban planning frameworks, highlighting their capacity to deliver multiple co-benefits that transcend singular engineering solutions. By moving beyond a purely technocentric approach, this work advocates for a paradigm shift towards a more holistic and integrated infrastructure development model that recognizes the intrinsic value and functional performance of natural systems. Blue infrastructure, such as restored wetlands and bioswales, further augments storm water management capabilities, filtering pollutants and recharging groundwater aquifers. Beyond hydrological benefits, green infrastructure contributes to social resilience by providing spaces for recreation, community engagement, and mental well-being, fostering social cohesion and a sense of place. Economically, investments in green and blue infrastructure can yield significant returns through reduced costs associated with flood damage, water treatment, and healthcare, while also stimulating local economies through green job creation and increased property values.
},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - Role of Green Spaces and Blue Infrastructure in Infrastructure Development and Urban Resilience: A Review AU - Suresh Aluvihara AU - Sabita Soren AU - Ferial Pestano-Gupta AU - Ainullah Merzazadah Y1 - 2025/10/27 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251405.17 DO - 10.11648/j.ajep.20251405.17 T2 - American Journal of Environmental Protection JF - American Journal of Environmental Protection JO - American Journal of Environmental Protection SP - 237 EP - 246 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2328-5699 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20251405.17 AB - As global urbanization accelerates, cities are increasingly confronted with multifaceted challenges, including climate change impacts, biodiversity loss, and the provision of essential ecosystem services. Traditional grey infrastructure, while foundational, often proves insufficient in addressing these complex issues. This research posits that strategically integrated green and blue elements - encompassing parks, urban forests, wetlands, permeable pavements, and sustainable drainage systems - offer a synergistic approach to infrastructure planning. These natural and semi-natural systems are not merely aesthetic additions but critical components for enhancing the functional capacity of urban environments. They play a crucial role in mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving air and water quality, managing storm water runoff, and fostering biodiversity, thereby creating healthier and more livable urban ecosystems. Furthermore, the integration of these natural assets contributes to a more adaptable and robust urban fabric, capable of withstanding and recovering from environmental shocks and stresses. The paper explores the theoretical underpinnings and empirical evidence supporting the deployment of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) within urban planning frameworks, highlighting their capacity to deliver multiple co-benefits that transcend singular engineering solutions. By moving beyond a purely technocentric approach, this work advocates for a paradigm shift towards a more holistic and integrated infrastructure development model that recognizes the intrinsic value and functional performance of natural systems. Blue infrastructure, such as restored wetlands and bioswales, further augments storm water management capabilities, filtering pollutants and recharging groundwater aquifers. Beyond hydrological benefits, green infrastructure contributes to social resilience by providing spaces for recreation, community engagement, and mental well-being, fostering social cohesion and a sense of place. Economically, investments in green and blue infrastructure can yield significant returns through reduced costs associated with flood damage, water treatment, and healthcare, while also stimulating local economies through green job creation and increased property values. VL - 14 IS - 5 ER -
Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Postgraduate Department of Geography, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, India
Division of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, Tain, Guyana
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