In addition to providing aesthetic qualities, green infrastructure systems serve a variety of public and private purposes that help the environment and communities. Green infrastructure systems aid in the protection and restoration of naturally functioning ecosystems while also serving as a framework for future growth. As a result, they provide a wide range of ecological, social, and economic benefits:
- Impressively varied and rich habitat
- Maintenance of natural ecosystem processes
- Cleaner air and water
- Increased recreational and commuting possibilities are two examples.
- Improved well-being
- A sense of place and connection to nature
Investing in green space can typically be more cost-effective than conventional public works projects, according to studies. Property values and the expense of public infrastructure and services, such as stormwater management and water treatment systems, have all been shown to improve with well-planned park areas. Green infrastructure investments are frequently more cost-effective than traditional public works projects. For example, instead of building new water treatment facilities in New York City in the 1990s, the city purchased and safeguarded watershed land in the Catskills for approximately $1.5 billion, saving hundreds of millions of dollars. Arnold, Missouri, has saved thousands of dollars on disaster aid and flood damage repair by purchasing threatened homes and creating.
A change in governmental accounting standards may be able to standardize these situations, according to two nonprofit groups, the Center for Neighborhood Technology and Urban Logic. In 1999, the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) implemented significant changes to state and local government financial reporting. Governments are required by GASB-34 standards to establish, maintain.
As all sorts of constructed infrastructure are promoted for the many public and private advantages they provide, Green Infrastructure systems must be actively marketed for the numerous important ecological and social roles, values, and benefits that accrue to people and nature.