Evaluating blue-green infrastructure schemes for urban stormwater management using multicriteria analysis and stakeholder dialogue – A case study in Uppsala, Sweden

ABSTRACT Urban stormwater systems are facing increased pressure due to climate change and urban densification. Integrated multifunctional stormwater solutions, referred to as Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI), have gained increasing attention for urban stormwater management. However, planning BGI involves navigating complex challenges, including division of responsibilities and trade-offs associated with different BGI schemes. This study presents a case-based sustainability assessment including stakeholder perspectives and priorities regarding different BGI schemes at an urban catchment scale in Uppsala, Sweden. A multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach was applied to assess economic, environmental, and social benefits, while stakeholder priorities were captured through a structured dialogue workshop with mixed-stakeholder deliberation. The BGI schemes were differentiated by spatial scale (private to public land) and system complexity. The mixed stakeholder groups agreed on the prioritization of environmental values but diverged in how they valued social benefits. The priorities emerged in the deliberative process and did not correlate with formal mandates or group composition. Different BGI strategies were favoured under different sustainability priorities. In the Uppsala case, the performance profile of simple, swale-based schemes aligned well with aspects prioritised by most stakeholder groups.