GREEN AND BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN URBAN AREAS

Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI)are characterized as “Green-Blue Urban Grids” by embracing storm water management, climate adaptation and multifunctional green space. A typical blue-green infrastructure project may have several socioeconomic and environmental benefits but its implementation in brown field city and creation of new GBI is a challenging task for ULBs. It is very important to bring functional, social, and economic changes through GBI developments in distant areas/districts in urban areas. In outlook of GBI, urban area may cherish as integrated system of ‘socio-ecological’ and ‘socio-blue economy’. In socio-ecological context, planning and design of urban green spaces create socio-environmental integrity whereas socio-blue economy provides social and economic sustainability to the communities through various micro economical activities. In fact, GBI keep cities more sustainable with ‘greater likelihood’ and ‘sufficient livelihood’.

The Green Infrastructure (GI) refers to nature-based solutions to address various environmental and social challenges whereas Blue Infrastructure (BI) refers to the network of water bodies and water management systems to provide environmental, social, and economic benefits by managing water which include both natural and engineered features. In other words, green infrastructure is considered a subset of "Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure". It includes low-carbon infrastructure such as renewable energy infrastructure, public transport systems, etc. which contribute less emission, less carbon footprints and keep urban areas more clean and green.

Blue Infrastructure and Green Infrastructure: An Integrated Understanding:

Blue Infrastructure and Green Infrastructure termed as Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) includes both "blue" elements such as rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, green roofs, etc. which bring about water flow & storage, whereas "green" features such as parks, urban forests, green walls, roof-top gardens, etc. help with infiltration, filtration, evaporation, transpiration, etc. Sometimes, Blue-Green Infrastructure is also characterized as “Green-Blue Urban Grids” by embracing storm water management, climate adaptation and multifunctional green space.

 In broader sense, Blue-Green Infrastructure may also be considered as a component of sustainable urban drainage system which is integrated into urban planning to manage storm water. Therefore, sustainable urban drainage plan is always part and parcel of Master Plan of any town and city to avoid water logging, urban flooding, etc. 

Further, Blue-Green Infrastructure is also associated with Gray Infrastructure. Gray Infrastructure is nothing but conventional storm water management system such as pipes, culverts, basins, etc. which are designed to collect and convey storm water away from urban areas. Table 1 describes comparative understanding of green infrastructure, blue infrastructure and gray infrastructure as shown below. 

Integrated Understanding of Green Infrastructure, Blue Infrastructure and Gray Infrastructure

Sl. No.	Infrastructure(s)	Understanding(s)	Example(s)
1.	Green Infrastructure	Natural Process by utilizing natural elements to manage storm water, improve water quality, reduce urban heat effects, etc.	Green Roofs: Roofs covered with green vegetation.  Rain Gardens: Depressions in the landscape to collect and filter rainwater. Permeable Pavements: Pavements that allow water to pass through into the ground.  Urban Forests:  Trees and other vegetation in urban areas.
2.	Blue Infrastructure	It refers to all types of water bodies (surface and underground) available in urban areas. It is useful for water management and better micro climate at city level in urban areas.	Surface Water Bodies:  Lakes, rivers, canals, etc. Underground Water Sources: Aquifers, wells, springs, artesian wells, hand-pump well, etc.
3.	Gray Infrastructure	It is traditional approach to manage storm water and removethe same from urban areas speedily. In other words, Gray infrastructure focuses on both traditional and engineered solutions used for managing storm water in urban areas.	Storm Water Management: Gutters, drains, pipes, detention basins, storm water sewer lines, etc. Wastewater Management:  Sewage treatment plants, pipelines, etc.

In fact, Gray infrastructure is crucial as it need technically design and proper maintenance otherwise may cause situations like water logging, urban flooding, etc. and damage water sources and qualities.

Green and Blue Infrastructure Development in Urban Areas: Master Plan Approach:

A Master Plan of any town /city is prepared to guide planned development through various policies and development strategies to ensure coordinated and sustainable growth. In fact, it is a comprehensive and legal document guiding the city's development for a specific period, typically 20 years. Green infrastructure and Blue infrastructure are important components and hence their developments are very crucial for livable and healthy city but several Indian cities have seen a decline in green and blue features due to rapid urbanization and haphazard development. One side, built up areas of the cities is increasing and other side green spaces, water bodies, etc. are shrinking. Many Indian cities have promoted green and blue infrastructure development through Master Plan provisions. The main aim is to enhance existing blue systems in the city through restoration and promote green development along them through planned strategies.

Govt. Initiatives for Green and Blue Infrastructure Development

Sl. No.	Initiatives	Govt. Agency	Description	Prominence
1.	Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)	MoHUA, Govt. of India.	It focused on providing basic amenities like water supply and sanitation, with an emphasis on green spaces and water body rejuvenation.	Green and Blue Infrastructure Development
2.	AMRUT 2.0	MoHUA, Govt. of India.	AMRUT 2.0 expands its scope to include water security, sewage management, and the rejuvenation of water bodies.	Green and Blue Infrastructure Development
3.	Smart Cities Mission	MoHUA, Govt. of India.	Preserving and developing open spaces, parks, playgrounds, and recreational spaces in order to enhance the quality of life, reduce urban heat effects in urban areas.	Green Infrastructure Development
4.	Nagar Van Yojana	Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India.	Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) scheme was launched in 2020, for creation of Nagar Vans in urban areas, which promotes urban forestry by involving local communities, NGOs, educational institutions, local bodies, etc. Nagar Van Yojana envisages creating 1000 Nagar Van / Nagar Vatika in Cities having Municipal Corporation/Municipal council/Municipality/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for providing wholesome healthy living environment for the residents and thus contributing to growth of clean, green, healthy and sustainable cities.	Urban Forests
5.	Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification &Maintenance) Policy, 2015	MoRTH	Promote greening and development eco-friendly National Highway corridors across the country with participation of farmers, private sector and government institutions including Forest Department. The main objective was to reduce the impact of air pollution and dust by planting trees and shrubs along the National Highways. They act as natural sink for air pollutants and arrest soil erosion at the embankment slopes.	Eco-friendly NH Corridors
6.	"Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24" - Part-III (Urban Planning Reforms)	DoE, MoF	Strengthening Natural Ecosystem of Urban Areas through Urban Planning Aspects of the Reform: Policy interventions for urban water management and implementation of projects on ground for creation of Sponge Cities, including Urban Forests. Objectives of these reforms were to restore the city's capacity to absorb, infiltrate, store, purify, drain, and manage rainwater and regulate the water cycle. Master Plan for Sponge City is to be complemented with a Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) document and enforcement mechanism. States is also to develop urban forests that can be defined as networks or systems of groups of trees, located in urban and peri-urban areas	i. Promotion of Sponge Cities for Sustainability (Conservation &Rejuvenation of Water bodies) ii.Promotion of Riverfront Development iii.Creation of Urban Forests

According to the World Economic Forum, green and blue infrastructure is one of proactive adaptation for sustainable development, and enhanced quality of life for urban populations. The outcomes of research shows that 'green' and 'blue' infrastructure such as urban parks, wetlands, bioswales & water plazas, etc. mitigate physical risks and foster social cohesion critical to surviving and recovering from crises. In this context, it is imperative to understand that restoration & preservation of existing BGI and creation of new BGI are optimistic approach for sustainable, resilient and healthy urban environments in Indian cities. This approach integrates natural features such as parks, wetlands, urban forests and water bodies with built infrastructure which is very much desirable for addressing climate change, improving water management, and enhancing quality of life. 

Green and Blue infrastructure (GBI) may be recognized as a tool for mitigating the impacts of urban heat islands, flooding, water scarcity, rapid storm water runoff, etc. Further, GBI offers improved public health and well-beings of the city residents through improved air &water quality, increased green spaces for recreation, cooling effects, etc. The need of the hour is to integrate GBI with existing infrastructure particularly with existing gray infrastructure. It requires holistic and effective approach to urban development and hence Govt. incentives and financial assistances are required through various schemes and programs for the same. 

Presently, innovation and technological advancements are required for optimizing GBI design and implementation. The bioswales, rain gardens, etc. as landscape elements need to be created for capturing , filtering, and infiltrating storm water runoff along roadsides and in open spaces, parks, etc. Furthermore, blue-green action plan with innovative solutions like blue and blue-green roofs, painting of roof surfaces, walls to absorb rainwater, reduce storm water runoff, etc. need to be implemented by the Urban Local Bodies. Apart from green spaces, planting more trees, creating new urban forests, etc. it is also important to use cool pavements through using light-colored or reflective pavements to reduce heat absorption, moderate surface temperatures, etc. for urban cooling effects. It is a high time to restore and create wet lands for detention and filter rainwater, replenish groundwater and enhance biodiversity.