Practitioner Perceptions of Green Infrastructure on Private Property: Barriers, Challenges, and Benefits

Abstract

Interest in green infrastructure continues to grow as a method of managing stormwater through infiltration that also protects water quality and offers the potential to create wildlife habitat and urban greenspace. Municipalities are increasingly requiring stormwater infiltration on private property, yet green infrastructure practices and techniques are new to many of the practitioners responsible for its implementation. There have been few studies about the experiences and perceptions of practitioners from the private sector regarding green infrastructure associated with their housing and commercial developments. To this end, this study investigated the perceived barriers, challenges, and benefits of green infrastructure on private property developments. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners from the private and public sector in order to gain a greater understanding of how green infrastructure is being implemented, what the elements of its success are, and what barriers are preventing increased adoption. While there were differences in the responses of private and public actors, many similarities were revealed regarding the importance of practitioner knowledge of the complexities of green infrastructure and experience with installation and maintenance techniques in order to create successful sites. Additionally, concerns emerged regarding high rates of site failure, a failure for vegetation to establish, and the lack of qualified practitioners to install and maintain green infrastructure. Insights from this study will be used to develop recommendations for local interventions to support the increased adoption and success of green infrastructure to meet stormwater regulation on private property.