Unlocking the power of green infrastructure in asset management
At a glance
Green infrastructure (GI) is becoming a cornerstone of resilient, future-ready asset management. This article explains why GI and regenerative asset management matter, the barriers organisations face and how to overcome them. Drawing on lessons from four Canadian cities, we provide practical recommendations and next steps for leaders in the asset management and property sectors looking to implement GI.
Why green infrastructure and regenerative asset management matter
Historically, urban infrastructure has relied on “grey” solutions — pipes, culverts, ditches and other engineered systems designed to quickly collect, store and convey stormwater away from developed areas. This includes concrete pipes, culverts, storm sewers and end-of-pipe solutions like stormwater ponds and reservoirs, all built primarily for single tasks such as stormwater drainage. While grey assets have served cities well, expanding and maintaining them is costly and they struggle to meet complex modern needs such as mitigating heat islands, supporting biodiversity and improving public health.
Green infrastructure (GI) offers a different approach, blending natural features and engineered solutions to replicate ecological processes. GI includes both natural assets — such as native vegetation, wetlands and parks — and enhanced or hybrid assets like green roofs, bioswales and rain gardens, as well as engineered elements such as permeable pavements and infiltration systems. These systems help reduce flooding, boost biodiversity and improve water quality, collectively promoting healthier communities and creating cooler, more appealing urban environments.
Unlike grey infrastructure, which generally serves just one purpose, GI provides multiple benefits: enhanced climate resilience, greater cost-effectiveness and increased social value. GI also aligns with ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals and regulatory requirements, making it a strategic asset for organisations.
Regenerative asset management takes this concept further. Rather than simply sustaining current conditions, it seeks to restore and regenerate natural systems, promoting long-term environmental and social benefits from infrastructure investments. For asset managers and property sector leaders, it means moving beyond compliance to create financial, ecological and social value through every decision.
Common barriers in GI implementation and how to overcome them
Despite its promise, implementing GI is not without challenges and many organisations struggle to move from ambition to action because of systemic barriers. Implementing GI often stalls because of four recurring challenges: funding, governance, data and capability. The good news is that these challenges are solvable.
Funding
Traditional funding models tend to focus on upfront costs rather than long-term value, making GI appear expensive. The solution lies in adopting lifecycle cost analysis and exploring blended finance models that capture co-benefits like flood mitigation and heat reduction, demonstrating a stronger return on investment.
Governance
Governance is another hurdle. Responsibility for GI often spans multiple departments, creating silos and slowing decision-making. Successful organisations address this by establishing clear accountability frameworks and cross-functional governance teams that align objectives and streamline approvals.
Data
Data gaps also limit progress. Without standardised metrics and performance tracking, it’s difficult to measure success or justify investment. Investing in digital tools, GIS mapping and key performance indicators enables better monitoring, predictive maintenance and evidence-based planning.
Capability
Many organisations lack internal expertise to design, operate and maintain GI assets. Upskilling teams and fostering collaboration across engineering, planning and sustainability functions can help integrate GI as a critical part of asset management rather than an afterthought.
Lessons from four Canadian cities
Real-world examples show that success is possible — and scalable. The State of Green Infrastructure Asset Management Benchmarking Report surveyed four Canadian municipalities proving that GI can move from concept to reality when supported by strong governance, data and collaboration. Each city offers unique lessons:
Vancouver
Since 2019, the Rain City Strategy has reimagined rainwater as a resource rather than waste. With over 400 GI assets, Vancouver has improved water quality, enhanced resilience and created healthier urban ecosystems. Its measurable target — capturing 90 percent of rainfall by 2050 — anchors GI in citywide planning and policy.
Calgary
With nearly 30 years of experience, Calgary’s Green Infrastructure program integrates natural systems like rain gardens, green roofs and urban forests into development. Guided by robust design standards and long-standing plans, the city manages over 1,000 GI assets, improving stormwater management, biodiversity and community well-being.
Toronto
The Green Streets program is a successful example of interdivisional governance. Since 2008, it has coordinated multiple city divisions to deliver GI projects that enhance stormwater management, climate resilience and liveability. A GIS-based prioritisation tool helps maximise co-benefits and align projects with technical standards.
Peel Region
Managing regional roads and GI assets such as trees and stormwater ponds, Peel Region demonstrates how smaller municipalities can scale GI strategically. Backed by strong council support and the 2019 Climate Change Master Plan, Peel focuses on climate mitigation, biodiversity and community well-being through targeted pilots.
Leadership, data maturity and cross-department collaboration are critical to embedding GI into long-term asset management. These cities show that GI delivers growing co-benefits over time, making early investment worthwhile.
Recommendations and next steps
The transition to green infrastructure requires leadership, planning and collaboration.
Here are five practical steps to get started:
- Adopt a systems mindset: Move from isolated projects to integrated networks that deliver multiple benefits.
- Embed GI in asset management plans: Treat GI as a formal asset class with defined service levels and lifecycle costs.
- Invest in data and digital tools: Enable performance monitoring and predictive maintenance to optimise outcomes.
- Build internal capability: Upskill teams and foster cross-department collaboration.
- Start small and scale smart: Pilot projects with measurable outcomes before rolling out city-wide or portfolio-wide programs.
Connect with our team to explore tailored strategies for your organisations.