Module blue-green infrastructure planning

Cities are facing major challenges due to climate change:
Extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and droughts are becoming more frequent and affect not only residents but also urban infrastructure and water resources. Since cities are among the largest consumers of global resources, they are key actors in developing sustainable strategies and adaptation measures. Possible solutions include both conventional infrastructural measures—such as sewer system expansions and centralized facilities—and decentralized, nature-based approaches like blue-green infrastructure (BGI), such as rain gardens, green roofs, or river restoration.

However, many cities and municipalities struggle to identify, compare, and prioritize suitable measures—especially in the face of diverse local conditions and sometimes conflicting objectives. As a result, strategies are often developed that do not fully address actual urban challenges.

In our BGCC Toolbox “Blue-Green Infrastructure Planning,” we support cities and municipalities with scientifically grounded tools and methods for infrastructure planning. As part of the coaching process, we can develop scenarios that capture technically and spatially plausible solution options. This is complemented by spatial modeling and the estimation of the costs and effects of various solutions. The goal is to provide a solid decision-making basis by scientifically comparing different approaches.

We place particular emphasis on the targeted use of scientific methods to develop sustainable, knowledge-based strategies for addressing urban challenges. Central to this is the potential of blue-green infrastructures, which are developed through co-design processes in collaboration with public authorities, urban planners, policymakers, and civil society. The development of technically and spatially plausible scenarios for BGI, the spatial modeling and evaluation of their effects, and the visualization of their potential—such as for stormwater management or urban greening—form the foundation for informed and sustainable decision-making. In this way, cities are empowered to plan for climate resilience and position themselves for a sustainable future.