Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

One critical aspect of infrastructure governance is the level of coordination. While major infrastructure systems are traditionally the responsibility of government, increasing attention has been given to distributed infrastructure, in which individual or community-based efforts can play a critical role in guiding sensible infrastructure investments and a more efficient and effective use of infrastructure. In this research, we will apply a theoretical framework (Foxon 2011) to examine the evolution of urban stormwater management in the United States.

The traditional approach of stormwater management is often called “gray infrastructure” with piped facilities underground. It is treated as a city-wide public works function supported by local general revenues such as property tax. The second generation of stormwater management involves stormwater utility fees and credits, which incorporate incentives for individuals to develop parcel-level green infrastructure that can reduce their stormwater impact to the city. In recent years, there has emerged a third approach, district green infrastructure, which involves specific arrangements between the government and developers within a restricted area, for the joint efforts to develop district-level green infrastructure, which not only address stormwater concerns but also use water as resource toward other sustainable benefits.

We will combine statistics, case studies, and document review to analyze the opportunities and challenges associated with the development of innovative stormwater management. The findings will contribute to the literature about infrastructure governance for urban sustainability, and will have significant policy implications for the design and implementation of effective stormwater management in the US and beyond.