Cost Effectiveness Green Infrastructure is cost effective because it works to provide long-term, environmentally sustainable solutions to problems that gray infrastructure has had a difficult time resolving. Once green infrastructure takes root, it implies less in terms of large-scale maintenance costs. It also provides places for native plants and animals to flourish, letting natural beauty shine through design and engineering solutions. Health benefits of human scale green infrastructure are noticeable and are directly produced by providing spaces that encourage physical activity and connecting with nature. Health benefits are also indirectly produced by designing spaces that can reduce flooding and the psychological strain that it causes residents. Providing infrastructure that boosts wellbeing is cost effective as well, because healthy citizens are better able to participate in society.
Maintenance Needs Like all infrastructure systems, green infrastructure requires maintenance to function properly. However, the approach to its maintenance shows a stronger connection between ecologically responsible engineering and landscaping than has been seen in past forms of infrastructure. Maintenance needs are specific to each green infrastructure method. Some methods, like rain gardens, may require learning how to care for native plants and animals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides free resources to support the proper maintenance of green stormwater infrastructure, including inspection checklists for porous pavements and bio retention systems, charts detailing the upkeep of vegetation and drainage systems, and proposed remedies to issues that may arise. 5
Design + Policy Recommendations | living with water
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