International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
BLUE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR URBAN FLOOD RESILIENCE Mukesh Kumar Master of Urban and Regional Planning Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Technical University Lucknow, India ----------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - The swift expansion of urban regions and the
managing water resources while delivering various ecosystem services. Blue infrastructure encompasses elements such as rivers, lakes, wetlands, canals, ponds, and storm water retention basins. Green infrastructure includes features like parks, green roofs, urban forests, permeable pavements, bios wales, and rain gardens. Collectively, these systems mitigate runoff, postpone peak flows, and improve water quality, while also providing social, environmental, and economic advantages.
effects of climate change have significantly increased both the frequency and intensity of urban flooding in cities worldwide. Conventional grey infrastructure, such as storm water drainage systems and embankments, has proven insufficient in addressing the complex hydrological challenges present. Blue–Green Infrastructure (BGI) has emerged as a sustainable, nature-based solution that integrates water management systems (blue) with vegetation and landscape elements (green) to enhance urban flood resilience. This paper investigates the concept, components, and importance of Blue– Green Infrastructure in mitigating urban flooding. It highlights how BGI improves storm water management, reduces surface runoff, enhances groundwater recharge, and promotes ecological balance. By examining practices from both global and Indian perspectives, the study emphasizes the necessity of integrating BGI into urban planning frameworks to achieve lasting flood resilience and encourage sustainable urban development.
3. IMPORTANCE OF BGI INFRASTRACTURE The increasing vulnerability of urban regions to flooding highlights the urgent need for alternative solutions. The main factors leading to this predicament include Reduction in natural infiltration due to urban development Encroachment of water bodies and flood plains
Climate Resilience, Sustainable Urban Planning, Storm water Management, Nature-Based Solutions
Inadequate capacity for stormwater drainage Fluctuations in rainfall patterns linked to climate change BGI addresses these challenges by restoring natural hydrological processes and improving urban resilience against extreme weather events.
1. INTRODUCTION
4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Urban flooding has become one of the most pressing issues faced by rapidly growing cities, particularly in developing countries like India. Factors contributing to this phenomenon include unregulated urban expansion, the deterioration of natural drainage systems, the increase of impervious surfaces, and extreme rainfall events exacerbated by climate change, all of which have heightened the risks of flooding. Traditional grey infrastructure systems are often inflexible, expensive, and harmful to the environment. Blue–Green Infrastructure (BGI) offers a promising alternative by utilizing natural processes rather than working against them. It integrates water bodies, green spaces, and ecological networks into the urban environment, thus enhancing the city’s capacity to absorb, retain, and manage excess rainfall. This study explores the importance of BGI in improving urban flood resilience and promoting sustainable urban development.
The study utilizes a methodology grounded in secondary data, drawing upon verified and existing data sources to investigate the function of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) in improving urban flood resilience. Secondary data is gathered from governmental reports, urban flood management strategies, master plans, meteorological rainfall data, satellite imagery, GIS databases, and scholarly articles. Further information is obtained from international organizations, policy documents, and case studies concerning the implementation of BGI.A range of analytical tools and techniques, such as GIS-based spatial analysis, examination of planning policies, comparative case study evaluations, and interpretation of secondary data, are utilized to assess land-use trends, areas susceptible to flooding, BGI initiatives, and outcomes of urban flood mitigation. This methodology facilitates the evaluation of trends in infrastructure development, patterns of spatial growth, and the efficacy of nature-based solutions without relying on primary field data.
Key Words: Blue–Green Infrastructure, Urban Flooding,
2. CONCEPT OF BLUE–GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Blue–Green Infrastructure denotes a carefully designed network of both natural and semi-natural spaces aimed at
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