State of Green Infrastructure asset management: Benchmarking report
Urban sustainability and climate resilience are two of the most pressing challenges today, and smarter integration of Green Infrastructure (GI) into asset management may be the key to addressing them. The state of Green Infrastructure asset management benchmarking report takes you inside four leading municipalities across Canada, exploring how they are addressing these pressing issues head-on. From Vancouver to Toronto, the report highlights the innovative strategies municipalities are using to reach GI’s full potential, including life-cycle planning and cross-department collaboration.
The role of asset management in GI
GI benefits significantly from the application of asset management processes, blending natural and built systems to optimise performance. By integrating asset management principles, GI delivers unique outcomes that provide both direct and indirect benefits to communities. This approach supports sustainability and resilience, contributing to long-term environmental, social and economic value that continues to evolve and adapt with community needs.
The cities and regions we benchmarked
We benchmarked four leading municipalities across Canada — Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Peel. Each independently are leaders in GI implementation and together, reflect over a hundred years of GI experience. They offer a wealth of knowledge and share diverse perspectives shaped by unique climates, regulatory environments and operating models.
The lessons and strategies revealed
From funding challenges to “end of life” hurdles, the report uncovers the barriers municipalities face in managing GI. Offering insights and recommendations, it also highlights the strategies that work - from life cycle planning to cross-functional collaboration and data-driven decision-making - to harness GI’s full potential for sustainable urban development. Read the seven lesson and guiding principles our benchmarking revealed.
GI represents a re-emerging concept that is benefitting from the application of asset management practices in the management of their lifecycle. The service outcomes achieved through the implementation of GI are increasingly desired because of the direct and indirect benefits provided to communities through GI performance. GI can add to community resilience and wellness strategies through their ability in achieving multiple outcomes.”