Coaching Toolbox, Module Law
Goal: Teaching and application of BGI-relevant regulatory and planning instruments
Project Team: Prof. Dr. Moritz Reese and Felix Klickermann (UFZ)

The “Law” coaching module provides legal fundamentals for the planning, implementation, and financing of blue-green infrastructures (BGI) and offers opportunities to exchange views on legal issues, obstacles, and possible solutions. Please note that project-specific legal advice is not included.
In Phase I, the essential legal topics, questions, and materials for the coaching are first reviewed and compiled. Within the framework of an inter-municipal expert meeting focusing on legal aspects (4th quarter of 2025), the target cities will receive joint training on the following topics:

• Overview of legal issues in BGI development,
• Planning instruments for BGI development,
• Environmental protection requirements (especially KARL),
• Urban planning, water, and road (traffic) law instruments,
• Traffic safety for multifunctional retention basins, and
• Fee structures and organizational law aspects of refinancing.

Afterwards, the respective city administrations inform the Law project team of their specific needs for further in-depth exploration. Discussions on these topics will take place in Phase III as part of the systematic consultation process supporting municipalities in implementing blue-green infrastructures.
At the end of the project, the developed coaching toolbox and the contents of the implementation strategies will be evaluated and optimized.

The Coaching Toolbox offers, in addition to an explanation of the relevant regulations, the following instruments from the relevant literature:

• Müller / van Afferden / Khurelbaatar et al. (2023), Pathways to a Zero-Runoff Urban District – Potentials, Impacts, and Legal Frameworks of On-Site Wastewater and Stormwater Management, UBA Publication 34/2023.
• Reese, M. (2020): Sustainable Urban Rainwater Management – Challenges and Legal Instruments, ZUR, 31 (1), 40–50.
• BlueGreenStreets 2.0 (Eds.) (2024): Implementing, Evaluating, and Institutionalizing BlueGreenStreets 2.0. Toolbox 2.0 Essentials for Implementation.
• Albrecht / Eckersley / Haupt et al. (2022), Strengthening the Integration of Heat and Heavy Rain Adaptation into Municipal Planning, Berlin, adelphi.
• BBSR (2023), Legal Components for a Strategic Realignment of the Mobility Transition in Municipalities, EwWoSt 55/1 (10/2023).