Local stormwater management in a rain garden collecting runoff from S. Drabika Street, Wrocław (Poland). (Photo: J. Rubaszek). Planning and designing green and blue infrastructure (GBI) as an integral part of urban streets – as is widely recognised – requires support in terms of organisation, funding, legislation and social awareness. As demonstrated by the case of Wrocław – one of the fastest-growing cities in Poland – standards can serve as an effective tool for supporting the implementation of GBI. These standards include guidelines and model solutions that integrate spatial, technical, and environmental aspects. Before establishing these standards, introducing green and blue infrastructure to Wrocław’s streets – even in newly planned projects – posed significant challenges. The main obstacles included insufficient space, the location of underground utility networks in areas that could otherwise accommodate trees, and relatively low public awareness of the importance of creating proper conditions for vegetation, especially large street trees. Read the full article here.