Characterizing Public Engagement for Green Infrastructure Planning

Cities worldwide are turning to green infrastructure (GI) as a potential decentralized pathway to stormwater management, heat abatement, and other climate adaptation and wellbeing benefits. As with environmental governance, public engagement in GI planning—from design to implementation and maintenance—is necessary to incorporate diverse perspectives, better understand the potential impact of environmental policies, and ensure fair and equitable outcomes. However, GI is different from broader environmental governance approaches in that it demands on-the-ground labor and long-term maintenance, which are crucial for ecosystem function. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive literature review of 46 articles published between 2014 and 2024 to provide a more nuanced understanding of public engagement for GI in municipal settings. Results reveal diverse and innovative approaches to engagement that involve integrating social and environmental data, on-the-ground activities, and working groups. We further highlight four key characteristics of GI engagement: (1) the multifunctionality of GI, (2) the incorporation of public and private land, (3) effects on community-building and sense of place, and (4) environmental and social justice. By embracing the multifunctionality of GI and centering justice, engagement efforts are more likely to recruit diverse community members, maintain long-term engagement, and simultaneously address multiple social and environmental needs.