ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a framework for the selection of green infrastructures on the basis of a co-benefits analysis. It aims to include the achievement of co-benefits and human well-being into decision-making for flood management. The chapter focuses on the identification of key benefits through stakeholders’ perceptions analysis as a central aspect to select flood risk reduction strategies. It shows that decision makers should consider locally defined co-benefits as well as flood risk reduction when defining which green infrastructures to apply. The use of green infrastructure brings economic benefits by storing water for reuse or reducing energy consumption for cooling or heating buildings, while aesthetics and amenity enhancement add value to surrounding buildings. Pollination and seeds dispersal, creation of habitats for plants and animals, climate regulation through carbon sequestration and local temperature reduction, are achieved implementing green infrastructures such as green roofs, rain gardens, bioretention areas and bio-swales.
