ABSTRACT
Establishing connected human and ecological systems that promote resource conservation, health, and risk prevention should be the first priority of the urban planner and not the last. Reversing current practices, planning solutions must move rapidly away from development-led frameworks to that of first optimising natural system infrastructure and strengthening clear “go” and “no-go” areas for development infill in doing so. Understanding that Green Infrastructure works as the key component of urban design principles in shaping cities to be both highly functional and liveable, becomes essential to realising why is should be prioritised and funded upfront in order to reduce investor risk and improve return on investment. As well as demonstrating clear financial savings, there are further non-monetary benefits to Green Infrastructure in meeting environmental, social and corporate Governance (ESG) commitments, whilst for public realm-owned assets, how can the recurrent costs of management be factored in on top of the capital investment benefits?
