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Green Stormwater Infrastructure Planning in Urban Landscapes: Understanding Context, Appearance, Meaning, and Perception

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  • Mahbubur Meenar

    (Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability, School of Earth and Environment, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA)

  • Jordan P. Howell

    (Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability, School of Earth and Environment, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
    Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Rohrer College of Business, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA)

  • Devon Moulton

    (Community Planning + Visualization Lab, School of Earth and Environment, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA)

  • Shane Walsh

    (Community Planning + Visualization Lab, School of Earth and Environment, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA)

Abstract

Prior research has documented environmental and economic benefits of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI); literature on GSI social benefits is also becoming more prevalent among scholars around the world. This paper aims to understand whether GSI projects are considered as assets to urban neighborhoods or as projects that might introduce a new set of social concerns. Based on field observations of 238 GSI projects and 50 intercept interviews, we investigate selected social aspects of GSI, such as project context, visual appearance, recreational appeal, meaning, and public perception, in two neighboring US cities—Philadelphia and Camden. Analysis of field data and observation notes revealed that GSI project setting impacted recreational appeal; their appearance was related to maintenance and signage; and their interaction with the public depended on location, land use, and visual/recreational appeal. Most GSI sites with the presence of trash, but the absence of signage were found in potentially disadvantaged areas. According to intercept interviews, many people were not aware of GSI presence in the neighborhood, were not familiar with GSI or its functionality, did not find a way to get access to GSI or interact with them, and were generally concerned about poor design, defective construction, or lack of maintenance. We argue that lack of information and community care/support for GSI can result in social disinvestments in these projects, which can facilitate improper use and maintenance issues, affecting their intended basic environmental functions. Consistent with prior research, we speak to the importance of participatory planning processes in improving community acceptance and interests around GSI planning and installation in urban landscapes.

Suggested Citation

  • Mahbubur Meenar & Jordan P. Howell & Devon Moulton & Shane Walsh, 2020. "Green Stormwater Infrastructure Planning in Urban Landscapes: Understanding Context, Appearance, Meaning, and Perception," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:9:y:2020:i:12:p:534-:d:465582
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olivia Odom Green & William D. Shuster & Lee K. Rhea & Ahjond S. Garmestani & Hale W. Thurston, 2012. "Identification and Induction of Human, Social, and Cultural Capitals through an Experimental Approach to Stormwater Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(8), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Muhammad Shafique & Reeho Kim & Kwon Kyung-Ho, 2018. "Green Roof for Stormwater Management in a Highly Urbanized Area: The Case of Seoul, Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Danielle Dagenais & Isabelle Thomas & Sylvain Paquette, 2017. "Siting green stormwater infrastructure in a neighbourhood to maximise secondary benefits: lessons learned from a pilot project," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(2), pages 195-210, February.
    4. Kondo, M.C. & Low, S.C. & Henning, J. & Branas, C.C., 2015. "The impact of green stormwater infrastructure installation on surrounding health and safety," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(3), pages 114-121.
    5. Liu, Wen & Chen, Weiping & Peng, Chi, 2015. "Influences of setting sizes and combination of green infrastructures on community’s stormwater runoff reduction," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 318(C), pages 236-244.
    6. Christopher M. Chini & James F. Canning & Kelsey L. Schreiber & Joshua M. Peschel & Ashlynn S. Stillwell, 2017. "The Green Experiment: Cities, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-21, January.
    7. Zachary Christman & Mahbubur Meenar & Lynn Mandarano & Kyle Hearing, 2018. "Prioritizing Suitable Locations for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Based on Social Factors in Philadelphia," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-17, November.
    8. Olivia Odom Green & William D. Shuster & Lee K. Rhea & Ahjond S. Garmestani & Hale W. Thurston, 2012. "Correction: Identification and Induction of Human, Social, and Cultural Capitals through an Experimental Approach to Stormwater Management, Sustainability 2012, 4 , 1669-1682," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(9), pages 1-1, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christopher Tirri & Hunter Swanson & Mahbubur Meenar, 2021. "Finding the “Heart” in the Green: Conducting a Bibliometric Analysis to Emphasize the Need for Connecting Emotions with Biophilic Urban Planning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Mahbubur Meenar & Megan Heckert & Deepti Adlakha, 2022. "“Green Enough Ain’t Good Enough:” Public Perceptions and Emotions Related to Green Infrastructure in Environmental Justice Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-17, January.

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