The word ‘infrastructure’ doesn’t exactly get the pulse racing. You typically think ugly, grey, utilitarian but you might increasingly see green, alive and multi-functional.

Thanks to more examples of successful implementations, new technology and a steadily increasing body of evidence about benefits, there is growing interest in the use of green infrastructure to manage issues such as stormwater, pollution and rising temperatures, as well as to improve the look and feel of our cities.

There isn’t a universal definition of green infrastructure but it’s broadly agreed to refer to green (and sometimes blue) features that help to solve urban and environmental challenges. Examples include existing parks and rivers, as well as street trees, green roofs, living walls and permeable pavements.