Shaping regenerative stormwater management: a conceptual framework for blue- green infrastructure

Abstract

Urbanisation and infrastructure development have intensified stormwater-related challenges such as increased runoff, flooding, and ecological degradation. Blue-green infrastructure (BGI) has emerged as a sustainable solution for stormwater management by integrating natural and engineered systems to mimic the natural water cycle. Although the environmental and social benefits of BGI are widely acknowledged, its implementation remains limited due to barriers, including a lack of awareness, funding constraints, fragmented responsibilities, and regulatory uncertainties. Existing literature lacks a comprehensive framework specifically addressing the use of BGI in stormwater management. This study aims to fill that gap by developing a conceptual framework to promote BGI adoption for stormwater systems. A systematic literature review was conducted using databases including Scopus, Web of Science, Engineering Village, and Google Scholar. Manual content analysis was used to explore the benefits, barriers, and strategies related to BGI implementation. Findings reveal that community engagement, inter-agency collaboration, knowledge sharing, and policy integration are essential to overcoming adoption barriers. Based on these insights, a conceptual framework was proposed to guide planners, policymakers, and practitioners in promoting BGI within urban water management. This framework supports the strategic integration of BGI to enhance resilience, sustainability, and multifunctionality in stormwater infrastructure.