Cost-benefit analysis for sustainable stormwater management : A case study for Masthuggskajen, Gothenburg

Abstract: Densication and intensied precipitation patterns due to climate change, has increased the need for sustainable stormwater management. Sustainable stormwater management can be implemented as blue-green infrastructure (BGI), which integrates green features for natural inltration and detention such as green roofs and rain gardens. Through the use of BGI, added values can be provided as ecosystem services. Authorities and organizations in Sweden imply the need for valuation of ecosystem services for future integration in decision-making. This thesis include monetary estimations of ecosystem services within the use of a cost-benet analysis (CBA), for two alternatives of stormwater management in Masthuggskajen, Gothenburg. The applied valuation methods are methods commonly used in economic analysis. The ecosystem services identied and monetarily estimated as benets within this project were  ood protection, water treatment, air quality regulation, noise regulation and added recreational value. The result of the CBA indicated that the most protable alternative was considered to be the implementation of BGI rather than underground solutions. The ecosystem services contributing the most to the result was added recreational value, noise regulation and  ood protection. A sensitivity analysis was concluded by altering the value of costs and benets. Further analysis of the uncertainty in monetary estimates is of importance in order to integrate ecosystem services in decision-making. The diculty in covering the full extent of benets generated by BGI indicates the need of complementary tools in decision-making. However, this study highlights the importance of inclusion of ecosystem services in decision-making.