A clear knowledge gap exists for local authorities (LAs) that prevents them from deploying green infrastructure (GI) on a scale that enables urban landscapes to adapt to the future impacts of climate change and build more sustainable communities. 

Cities and towns are not investing in FI and the valuation tools for justifying GI on economic, social cultural and environmental grounds are simply not being used by LAs, who instead rely on EU and national subsidies or deliver GI projects on a 'one off' basis. The exceptions are capital/larger cities (populations > 550,000 approx.) that have access to more finance and resources than smaller urban areas. Urban areas < 500,000 people are not investing in GI. Valuation tools for GI are simply not being used and LAs lack the ability tot properly account for the direct cash benefits of GI.

Ghent University will contribute to 3 WP: 1) development of the business model, 2) capacity building, and 3) communication. It will use its research and network capacity to validate the business model developed in WP1 with stakeholders in private industry and contribute to capacity building and communication to maximise dissemination of project results. The proposed project supplements the ongoing efforts of Ghent University to implement insight in sustainability research in real life situations, making sure that public funding for research is used appropriately and has impact into the society.