Comprehensive Performance Evaluation of Green Infrastructure Practices for Urban Watersheds Using an Engineering–Environmental–Economic (3E) Model

Yi-Jia Xing, Tse-Lun Chen, Meng-Yao Gao, Si-Lu Pei, Wei-Bin Pan and Pen-Chi Chiang
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Yi-Jia Xing: School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Tse-Lun Chen: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71 Chou-Shan Road, Da-an District, Taipei City 10673, Taiwan
Meng-Yao Gao: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan
Si-Lu Pei: Research Institute of CNTY, Shanghai 200000, China
Wei-Bin Pan: School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Pen-Chi Chiang: Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71 Chou-Shan Road, Da-an District, Taipei City 10673, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Green infrastructure practices could provide innovative solutions for on-site stormwater management and runoff pollution control, which could relieve the stress of nonpoint pollution resulting from heavy rainfall events. In this study, the performance and cost-effectiveness of six green infrastructure practices, namely, green roofs, rain gardens, pervious surfaces, swales, detention basins, and constructed wetlands, were investigated. The comprehensive performance evaluation in terms of the engineering performance, environmental impact, and economic cost was determined in the proposed engineering–environmental–economic (3E) triangle model. The results revealed that these green infrastructure practices were effective for stormwater management in terms of runoff attenuation, peak flow reduction and delay, and pollutant attenuation. It was suggested that for pollution control, detention basins can efficiently reduce the total suspended solids, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and lead. The implementation of detention basins is highly recommended due to their higher engineering performance and lower environmental impact and economic cost. A case study of a preliminary cost–benefit analysis of green infrastructure practice exemplified by the Pearl River Delta in China was addressed. It suggested that green infrastructure was cost-effective in stormwater management in this area, which would be helpful for sustaining healthy urban watersheds.

Keywords: urban watersheds; stormwater management; green infrastructure practices; multi-function; 3E triangle; strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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