Citizen and community understanding, preferences and behaviours with respect to blue–green infrastructure

This chapter presents findings from new research on attitudes to blue–green infrastructure (BGI) from communities with existing or proposed BGI. Perceptions of existing and proposed BGI were generally very positive, with some concerns about long-term treatment and maintenance, but understanding and the perceived importance of flood risk and specific co-benefits were variable between and within sites. The surveys demonstrate qualitatively and statistically the links between attitudes, understanding and sustainable behaviours. The chapter highlights the practical implication of these findings: the need for long-term engagement with communities in order to co-design and operate BGI that delivers multiple, locally valued co-benefits. Finally, case examples are used to illustrate that blue–green approaches and BGI can deliver multiple co-benefits that are highly valued when projects are founded on long-term community engagement.