Abstract Submission: Climate change and increasing impervious surfaces are causing higher volumes of rainfall runoff in urban areas, creating an urgent need for effective management to protect property, infrastructure, and the environment. Traditional grey stormwater infrastructure is often outdated and incapable of handling this increased runoff. Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) offers a promising alternative by using natural systems like rain gardens and green roofs to manage stormwater. However, limited public land availability has led municipalities to focus on residential properties for GSI implementation. Despite these efforts, resident participation in GSI adoption remains low, even when offered at no cost or with incentives. This lack of engagement may be due to various social-psychological and demographic influences. However, there is currently limited understanding of how these factors influence residents' decisions regarding GSI adoption. This study seeks to fill this gap by exploring the social and psychological determinants of residential GSI implementation, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) as its guiding framework. This theory examines how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence intentions and behaviors. The framework is extended in this study to include demographic factors, knowledge, and past experiences. A survey was conducted among residents in three US cities, including Pittsburgh, PA, Portland, OR, and Baltimore, MD—cities with varying levels of GSI adoption. Data from 645 respondents were analyzed using Multi-Level Modeling. Findings reveal that perceived behavioral control is the strongest predictor of GSI adoption intentions. Knowledge and experience significantly promote GSI-related behaviors by positively influencing perceived control, subjective norms, and attitudes. However, attitudes and knowledge alone are insufficient in driving intentions to adopt GSI. These insights highlight the need for urban planners to develop community-based initiatives and educational campaigns that empower residents with the necessary tools and support, fostering a culture of GSI adoption.
Learning Objectives/Expected Outcome (Optional) : 1. Understand the social, psychological, and demographic characteristics impacting GSI adoption. By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to identify the key determinants impacting GSI adoption, including social, psychological, and demographic factors, and recognize the potential of residential properties for effective GSI implementation.
2. Apply the Theory of Planned Behavior to GSI Adoption: Attendees will be able to explain how the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework—incorporating attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control—can be used to understand and predict residents' intentions and behaviors toward GSI adoption.
3. Develop Strategies for Enhancing GSI Adoption: Participants will learn to formulate practical strategies, including educational campaigns and community-based initiatives, to enhance perceived behavioral control and social norms, ultimately encouraging widespread GSI adoption in urban areas.
