1I Strategic Maintenance of Blue-Green Stormwater Infrastructure – From Research to Practice

Background and Purpose

Blue-green stormwater infrastructure is a concept that encompasses various green and blue surfaces in urban environments that help manage stormwater and prevent flooding. Examples include rain gardens, swales, trees, and ponds. In recent years, this has become a popular solution for stormwater management due to its multiple benefits, such as stormwater retention and treatment, increased biodiversity, air purification, and temperature regulation in urban areas. However, research shows that maintenance and follow-up are often insufficient, leading to systems not functioning as intended. This, in turn, results in both economic losses and environmental risks.

For fifteen years, Luleå University of Technology has conducted research on the maintenance of blue-green stormwater infrastructure and identified several barriers: unclear responsibilities, lack of knowledge, insufficient funding, and weak follow-up. This project addresses these barriers by translating research findings into practical recommendations and then monitoring how these are implemented in two pilot studies that include several blue-green stormwater solutions.

The recommendations are implemented and evaluated by two stakeholders: a municipality/water utility and a municipal real estate company. The project aims to ensure that the solutions function over time and thereby contribute to reduced flood risk, improved water quality, and strengthened ecosystem services.

Objectives

The project is based on interactive knowledge co-creation, where researchers and stakeholders collaborate to develop, implement, and evaluate maintenance recommendations that can benefit more municipalities and property owners.