Blue‐green infrastructure for climate resilience and urban multifunctionality in Chinese cities

Abstract

Climate disruption and rapid urbanization present numerous challenges to infrastructure and communities in Chinese cities, from flooding and coastal erosion, to drought and pollution. This review article focuses on the utilization of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI)-a suite of nature-based strategies combining hydrological functions (blue) with vegetated landscaping (green)-to provide climate resilience and urban multifunctionality in China's large, high-density cities. Chinese cities are utilizing BGI in new construction, in neighborhood retrofits, and in revival of ancient nature-based infrastructure. The literature gives most attention to BGI in China's Sponge City Initiative that addresses the pluvial flooding crisis. Quantitative monitoring of BGI shows progress in stormwater-related functions and to a lesser extent with rainwater utilization to address water scarcity. Other studies document multifunctional aspects of BGI, including cooling and energy-saving functions of urban trees and green roofs, and green space expansion with parks that serve as retention basins. However, significant challenges and potential remain. China's urban infrastructure, including BGI, needs stronger design to be robust under extreme conditions as climate disruption intensifies. There is potential for BGI to more fully address habitat fragmentation, extreme heat, sea-level rise and other climate and urbanization hazards. Further research and pilot projects are needed to characterize and quantify the benefits of multifunctional BGI. More integrated planning across city sectors, with greater incorporation of ecological and social functions, will help Chinese cities achieve multiple goals: providing carbon-neutral and climate-resilient infrastructure, improving air and water quality, regenerating ecosystems, and enhancing urban quality of life.

Nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation: A perspective on challenges, potential and limitations

“…The adaptive capacity of these biodiverse ecosystems becomes particularly evident in the face of environmental stressors, as diverse ecosystems are often more resilient to disturbances and better equipped to recover from adverse events. Moreover, urban green infrastructure serves as a natural buffer against extreme weather events, such as floods and storms [38] . For instance, vegetated areas and permeable surfaces absorb and slow down rainwater runoff, reducing the risk of flooding during heavy precipitation.…”

Applying GIS in Blue-Green Infrastructure Design in Urban Areas for Better Life Quality and Climate Resilience

“…The important and urgent need to cope with climate change, coupled with the evolution of urban and peri-urban landscapes, emphasizes the need to seek solutions focused on mitigating and, in retrospect, counteracting the effects of this situation. Consequently, methods for monitoring the environmental impact of human activities on the urbanization processes taking place are increasingly important [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Multifunctional greening is fundamental to providing a wide range of ecosystem goods and services that benefit the urban population.…”

Changes in Stormwater Quality and Heavy Metals Content along the Rainfall–Runoff Process in an Urban Catchment

“…Blue-green infrastructure (BGI) solutions, the idea and principles of which have been presented in the European Commission documents [24][25][26][27], serve this purpose. BGI, recognized as a crucial component of sustainable stormwater management in cities [28], is a set of solutions and strategies that include natural solutions (wetlands, ponds, rivers) and engineered systems (underground systems, infiltration wells) that provide ecological, landscape, economic, social, and environmental benefits [29,30]. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are also recognized as a multidisciplinary elements that combine social benefits with nature [31].…”