Journal article
Valuing the Benefits of Creek Rehabilitation: Building a Business Case for Public Investments in Urban Green Infrastructure
GD Mekala, RN Jones, DH MacDonald
Environmental Management | SPRINGER | Published : 2015
Abstract
In an effort to increase the livability of its cities, public agencies in Australia are investing in green infrastructure to improve public health, reduce heat island effects and transition toward water sensitive urban design. In this paper, we present a simple and replicable approach to building a business case for green infrastructure. This approach requires much less time and resources compared to other methods for estimating the social and economic returns to society from such investments. It is a pragmatic, reasonably comprehensive approach that includes socio-demographic profile of potential users and catchment analysis to assess the economic value of community benefits of the investme..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The Australian Commonwealth-funded Collaborative Research Network Program and CSIRO supported a Postdoctoral Fellowship for Dr. Gayathri Devi Mekala as part of the Water Management area within Victoria University. City West Water and Greening the West proposed the case study area, providing key data and feedback. Darren Coughlan especially, provided background information, site history and workshop support. Kathleen Hurley provided support in building the GIS maps and demarcating the project catchment. Brimbank City Council sponsored the community workshop with Adrian Gray investing time and council's in-kind contribution. Celeste Young provided workshop methodology and know-how, organization and support. Finally, Simon Wilkinson and Clare Lombardi provided review comments.