Local action for Green and Blue Infrastructure – lessons learned from transdisciplinary and cocreation processes in cities

Green and blue infrastructure (GBI) is increasingly recognised as a resource and support for different strategies to address cities’ challenges, including for climate change adaptation, provision of recreational space and stormwater management (Kabisch et al., 2017). However, to make effective use of GBI potential in urban planning and governance can be challenging, as it requires a systems approach that spans sectoral and, quite often, administrative boundaries. Local authorities encounter many difficulties in mainstreaming GBI and its benefits into city plans and policies, as well as expanding the active engagement with GBI on the ground. Partnerships and co-creation processes with researchers may offer support to local stakeholders to access and make use of knowledge on how to promote benefits from GBI, as well as build the networks and relationships for future collaborations (Hurley et al., 2016; Borgström 2019). Such collaboration is important for research as well. It can ensure research questions are relevant, improve access to data and encourage a holistic approach to the topic. It also enhances opportunities for dissemination, making research more actionable. Constructive dialogue and collaboration require a number of preconditions to be understood and supported, and while cases differ there are still useful insights from a critical examination of existing or past cocreation processes