Urban green infrastructure (GI) and nature-based solutions (NBS) have gained significant attention for their key role in mitigating urban environmental challenges such as heat islands, air pollution, and stormwater management. Although extensive research documents the environmental benefits of GI, the focus has largely been on large-scale, institutionally managed interventions.

Study, which focused on the United Kingdom, however, highlights the potential of the approach "Do It Yourself" (DIY) GIDIY GI involves small-scale, citizen-initiated implementations of natural solutions that use local resources and community knowledge to address urban environmental challenges. This approach has the potential to democratize urban greening and strengthen community engagement, acting as a counterweight to state- or market-driven programs.

Diversity and assessment method

The study systematically characterised the implementation of DIY GI in UK cities. A mapping of GI configurations across UK capital cities was carried out, identifying 30 street-level scenarios and 50 household-level scenariosThis focus provides valuable insight into small-scale interventions, although larger spaces such as parks and urban forests were beyond the scope of this analysis.

Mapping showed that traditional, tree-based approaches dominate at street level, with “Street Trees” and “Street Trees + Roadside Grass” each representing 20,8 % most common scenarios. At the household level, a high diversity was found, with the most common configuration being "Just Grass" (18.5 %), followed by real estate "No GI" (17.8 %).

A systematic evaluation was developed five-level evaluation structure for key dimensions: level of expertise, set-up costs, space requirements, maintenance and cost-benefit ratio.

Costs, Benefits and Barriers

Cost analysis showed linear relationship between higher setup costs and increased maintenance costs (correlation r = 0.8). Establishment costs vary considerably, from £2.5/m² for grass to complex installations in excess of £248, with street trees alone representing the highest cost per component at £175/tree.

Despite the costs, there is a strong economic case for investing in GI. Quantified annual benefits range from £9.7/m²/year for basic interventions up to £818.1/m²/year for complex solutions integrated into buildings. These benefits are primarily generated by oxygen production, solar radiation reduction and cooling through evapotranspiration.

Household-level interventions show greater cost variability and higher benefit potential compared to street-level interventions. Multi-element configurations generally performed better than single-element ones. For example, combinations of hedges, grass, trees, shrubs, container plants, hanging plants, and green walls achieved the highest benefit scores.

The main barrier to DIY GI is requirement for expertiseIt was found that 36 % GI scenarios require professional level of intervention (Level 4) due to safety and regulatory requirements, with only 18 % remaining accessible to beginners. Space requirements range from 4–12 m² for simple container combinations to 50–150 m² for typical residential plots in the UK.

DIY Travel Cards and Recommendations

To bridge the gap between academic research and practice, they have been developed DIY escort cardsThese cards translate complex technical and economic information into simplified scores (L1 to L5), allowing local authorities and households to make informed decisions about GI investments.

The following recommendations are key to the effective implementation and expansion of DIY GI:

1. Prioritize available solutions: Focusing efforts on implementing GI Levels 0–1 (such as roadside grass, hedges, and container plants), which require minimal expertise and investment.
2. Create supporting frameworks: Introduce layered support systems including RHS-qualified mentoring programs and community training workshops to bridge the expertise gap.
3. Introduce financial incentives: Develop financial mechanisms (e.g. property tax rebates or direct subsidies) to recognise the significant economic benefits generated by GI (up to £818.1/m²/year).
4. Digital integration: Integrate DIY guide cards into digital platforms so users can access evidence-based GI options tailored to their budget and space.

This structured and practical framework offers a path to a more widespread, equitable and sustainable adoption of green infrastructure in urban areas. CO2AI