Chapter 13: Frontiers in blue-green infrastructure

Interest in blue-green infrastructure (BGI) is at an all-time high. Key actors, from developers to planners, engineers, architects and beyond, are pushing the boundaries of how BGI is incorporated in urban and rural environments. Yet, despite this, evidence shows that approaches are often basic in nature, adopting traditional landscaping approaches that fail to explore the possibilities of BGI systems. This chapter reflects on advances in BGI and the many benefits of ‘radical’ approaches. The chapter begins with a review of how pollinator biodiversity can be enhanced through innovative BGI systems. The chapter then proceeds to reflect on how food growing can be incorporated into BGI strategies before reflecting on low-carbon energy and BGI co-benefits. In doing so, the chapter showcases how designers and others might upscale and push the frontiers of BGI in developments.