Integrating Grey–Green Infrastructure in Urban Stormwater Management: A Multi–Objective Optimization Framework for Enhanced Resilience and Cost Efficiency

Urban stormwater management systems are increasingly strained by rapid urbanization and climate change, yet existing planning approaches often lack holistic optimization frameworks that account for both green and grey infrastructure (GREI) under uncertain future conditions. This study introduces a m...

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Main Authors: Lie Wang, Jiayu Zhao, Ziheng Xiong, Ji’an Zhuang, Mo Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3852
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author Lie Wang
Jiayu Zhao
Ziheng Xiong
Ji’an Zhuang
Mo Wang
author_facet Lie Wang
Jiayu Zhao
Ziheng Xiong
Ji’an Zhuang
Mo Wang
author_sort Lie Wang
collection DOAJ
description Urban stormwater management systems are increasingly strained by rapid urbanization and climate change, yet existing planning approaches often lack holistic optimization frameworks that account for both green and grey infrastructure (GREI) under uncertain future conditions. This study introduces a multi–objective optimization framework for Grey–Green Infrastructure (GGI), which integrates green infrastructure (GI) with GREI to enhance urban flood resilience, cost efficiency, and adaptability. The framework addresses life cycle cost (LCC), technological resilience (Tech-R), and operational resilience (Oper-R), offering a comprehensive approach to navigating the complexities of urban stormwater management. Key findings reveal that: (1) GGI systems optimized for resilience achieve a 33% improvement in Oper-R, with only a marginal increase in LCC of less than 9%, highlighting their robustness under GREI failure scenarios; (2) the integration of bioretention cells (BCs) and porous pavements (PPs) into GGI increases Tech-R by 7.1%, enhancing soil water retention and permeability, particularly in densely urbanized contexts; and (3) decentralized GGI systems exhibit superior adaptability to extreme weather events, with Design D reducing LCC to USD 53.9 M while maintaining no overflow under a 5–year rainfall event. The framework was validated in Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou, where optimized GGI designs reduced average pipe diameters and manhole depths by 0.2–0.3 m compared to GREI–only systems, demonstrating both cost and resilience advantages. These findings provide decision–makers with a robust tool for evaluating trade–offs in stormwater infrastructure planning, advancing sustainable urban water management.
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spelling doaj-art-53b6817e465d45a4b59b96bd56f48eda2025-08-20T02:09:18ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01157385210.3390/app15073852Integrating Grey–Green Infrastructure in Urban Stormwater Management: A Multi–Objective Optimization Framework for Enhanced Resilience and Cost EfficiencyLie Wang0Jiayu Zhao1Ziheng Xiong2Ji’an Zhuang3Mo Wang4Art School, Hunan University of Information Technology, Changsha 410151, ChinaCollege of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaCollege of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaCollege of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaCollege of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaUrban stormwater management systems are increasingly strained by rapid urbanization and climate change, yet existing planning approaches often lack holistic optimization frameworks that account for both green and grey infrastructure (GREI) under uncertain future conditions. This study introduces a multi–objective optimization framework for Grey–Green Infrastructure (GGI), which integrates green infrastructure (GI) with GREI to enhance urban flood resilience, cost efficiency, and adaptability. The framework addresses life cycle cost (LCC), technological resilience (Tech-R), and operational resilience (Oper-R), offering a comprehensive approach to navigating the complexities of urban stormwater management. Key findings reveal that: (1) GGI systems optimized for resilience achieve a 33% improvement in Oper-R, with only a marginal increase in LCC of less than 9%, highlighting their robustness under GREI failure scenarios; (2) the integration of bioretention cells (BCs) and porous pavements (PPs) into GGI increases Tech-R by 7.1%, enhancing soil water retention and permeability, particularly in densely urbanized contexts; and (3) decentralized GGI systems exhibit superior adaptability to extreme weather events, with Design D reducing LCC to USD 53.9 M while maintaining no overflow under a 5–year rainfall event. The framework was validated in Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou, where optimized GGI designs reduced average pipe diameters and manhole depths by 0.2–0.3 m compared to GREI–only systems, demonstrating both cost and resilience advantages. These findings provide decision–makers with a robust tool for evaluating trade–offs in stormwater infrastructure planning, advancing sustainable urban water management.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3852Grey–Green Infrastructuremulti–objective optimizationresilienceurban stormwater managementlife cycle cost
spellingShingle Lie Wang
Jiayu Zhao
Ziheng Xiong
Ji’an Zhuang
Mo Wang
Integrating Grey–Green Infrastructure in Urban Stormwater Management: A Multi–Objective Optimization Framework for Enhanced Resilience and Cost Efficiency
Applied Sciences
Grey–Green Infrastructure
multi–objective optimization
resilience
urban stormwater management
life cycle cost
title Integrating Grey–Green Infrastructure in Urban Stormwater Management: A Multi–Objective Optimization Framework for Enhanced Resilience and Cost Efficiency
title_full Integrating Grey–Green Infrastructure in Urban Stormwater Management: A Multi–Objective Optimization Framework for Enhanced Resilience and Cost Efficiency
title_fullStr Integrating Grey–Green Infrastructure in Urban Stormwater Management: A Multi–Objective Optimization Framework for Enhanced Resilience and Cost Efficiency
title_full_unstemmed Integrating Grey–Green Infrastructure in Urban Stormwater Management: A Multi–Objective Optimization Framework for Enhanced Resilience and Cost Efficiency
title_short Integrating Grey–Green Infrastructure in Urban Stormwater Management: A Multi–Objective Optimization Framework for Enhanced Resilience and Cost Efficiency
title_sort integrating grey green infrastructure in urban stormwater management a multi objective optimization framework for enhanced resilience and cost efficiency
topic Grey–Green Infrastructure
multi–objective optimization
resilience
urban stormwater management
life cycle cost
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3852
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