BEGIN

Cities are particularly susceptible to the negative impacts of flooding, urban heat islands, poor air quality, and other risks associated with more extreme weather conditions. In addition to conventional grey infrastructure, we need blue-green infrastructure (BGI), e.g.: green corridors, permeable paving, bio-swales, rainwater harvesting.

BGI can better deal with extreme weather events, foster ecosystem services and increase the liveability of cities in the North Sea Region. BGI’s holistic approach has viable environmental, social and economic benefits for city residents.

The overall objective of BEGIN is to demonstrate at target sites how cities can improve climate resilience with Blue Green Infrastructure involving stakeholders in a value-based decision- making process to overcome its current implementation barriers. The BEGIN project encompasses 10 cities and 6 research institutes combining forces to come towards BGI solutions and gather learning experiences. The 10 involved cities are developing BGI projects and whiles the cities are developing the projects they will be engaged in a transnational exchange and city learning networks to share experiences and best practices.

Expected results include:

1. Reduced probability of floods from extreme rainfall, Target (Unit): 30 %, Definition: Reducing the frequency of floods by increasing the maximum intensity of extreme rainfall that can be managed by the drainage system before causing flooding, including BGI and grey solutions, in comparison with the reference situation (without BGI);
2. Reduced expected impact from flood events in NSR by 2020, Target (Unit): 7 million €, Definition: Reduction of the projected flood damage by using BGI solutions to reduce runoff, in comparison without BGI. €1bn/yr flood damage in EU adjusted for: NSR, urban areas, 30% BGI reduction potential, timing of implementation & upscaling rate;
3. Increased long-term financial performance of investments, including social, environmental and financial benefits, Target (Unit): 200 Million €, Definition: Increase in long-term benefits achieved in climate change adaptation infrastructure for pilots as a result of BGI. This represents on average per pilot approximately a 5-fold return on investments.