Traditionally, infrastructure development often comes at the expense of the environment, and such directly or indirectly contribute to climate change. However, modern engineering is prioritizing sustainable infrastructure that protects and preserves environmental resources. This shift has led to the rise in green and blue infrastructure (BGI), particularly relevant for urban areas, which contribute more than half of the world’s GDP and responsible for 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 60 percent of resource use. As urbanization continues to grow, with 68 percent of the world’s population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, the importance of BGI has increased. An allied question is regarding the funding requirements and the source of such funding? BGI focuses on climate change, health, and urban resilience, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on land (SDG 15), water (SDGs 6 and 14), and climate change (SDG 13). Therefore, the scope for finance is wide. In this chapter, we discuss these issues and with reference to a few noteworthy global BGI initiatives including Singapore’s “Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters” (ABC) Programme, the U.S. “Grey to Green Initiative,” and China’s “Sponge City Programme.” In India, the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT reflect efforts toward sustainable urban infrastructure. However, financial constraints, including limited funding, high costs of land acquisition, and the complexities associated with economic valuation of non-market benefits, make it difficult to secure sustained financial support for BGI projects.

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Financing Urban BGI—Approaches and Challenges

  • Shubham Sharma,
  • Shashi Kant Sharma,
  • Subir Sen

摘要

Traditionally, infrastructure development often comes at the expense of the environment, and such directly or indirectly contribute to climate change. However, modern engineering is prioritizing sustainable infrastructure that protects and preserves environmental resources. This shift has led to the rise in green and blue infrastructure (BGI), particularly relevant for urban areas, which contribute more than half of the world’s GDP and responsible for 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 60 percent of resource use. As urbanization continues to grow, with 68 percent of the world’s population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, the importance of BGI has increased. An allied question is regarding the funding requirements and the source of such funding? BGI focuses on climate change, health, and urban resilience, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on land (SDG 15), water (SDGs 6 and 14), and climate change (SDG 13). Therefore, the scope for finance is wide. In this chapter, we discuss these issues and with reference to a few noteworthy global BGI initiatives including Singapore’s “Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters” (ABC) Programme, the U.S. “Grey to Green Initiative,” and China’s “Sponge City Programme.” In India, the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT reflect efforts toward sustainable urban infrastructure. However, financial constraints, including limited funding, high costs of land acquisition, and the complexities associated with economic valuation of non-market benefits, make it difficult to secure sustained financial support for BGI projects.