Improving Urban City Resilience by Incorporating Smart Green Infrastructure Components

Growing numbers of modern cities are incorporating Smart Green Infrastructure (SGI) components in their urban design policies, adapting existing infrastructure systems to integrate these technological advances. Such systems increasingly demonstrate the benefits of SGI-integration to the improved mitigation of the impacts of extreme weather, but new research and investment is crucial for the continued development of these components and the requisite training for their skilled implementation, so as to future-proof our urban infrastructures with smart, green concepts that achieve long-term resilience. This paper examines how integrating smart green infrastructure components into existing and new urban infrastructure assets can improve their resilience in withstanding extreme weather effects. It explores the areas that stand to benefit and improve from SGI, and the types of components that can be easily supported by smart technologies in the short and long term. Previous research illustrates the need for smart water pricing and drainage systems, smart energy grid systems, smart transport efficiency monitoring, urban commuting sensors and pollution monitoring techniques to be incorporated and implemented across all levels to improve urban resilience and improve environmental efficiency. Although many cities now choose to implement SGI components, a certain disconnect remains between meeting both the agendas of ‘smart’ and ‘green’. More extensive research is required to target this discrepancy and facilitate their integration within mainstream infrastructures. A broad-ranging literature review of research papers, stakeholder reports, case studies and action plans provides a foundational understanding of the wider context and existing debates underpinning this paper. The paper also identifies current practices, challenges and opportunities to examine how SGI components contribute to the long-term wellbeing and sustainability of city dwellers.