What is the advantage of using a green infrastructure approach for stormwater management?

The advantage of using a green infrastructure approach for stormwater management lies in its ability to enhance ecosystem services and reduce pollution while effectively managing stormwater. This method utilizes natural processes and vegetation to manage rainwater where it falls, allowing for infiltration, evaporation, and transpiration. By incorporating green roofs, permeable pavements, rain gardens, and other landscape features, green infrastructure not only helps in controlling stormwater runoff but also improves water quality by filtering pollutants and providing habitats for wildlife.

Integrating these natural systems fosters biodiversity, promotes healthier urban environments, and can reduce the need for expensive gray infrastructure solutions, which can be more mechanically complex and resource-intensive. The approach supports community aesthetics and can lead to increased community engagement and resilience to climate change impacts. Therefore, the multifaceted benefits of enhanced ecosystem services and pollution reduction underpin why this choice is the most advantageous for stormwater management.