Socially vulnerable people and stormwater infrastructure: A geospatial exploration of the equitable distribution of gray and green infrastructure in Washington D.C.

Green Infrastructure (GI) has gained recognition for its notable role in climate change mitigation and urban resilience. Meanwhile, there is a growing body of literature revealing the uneven distribution of GI from environmental justice perspective. Given the role of GI, the distribution should also be explored in a social vulnerability context and combining green and gray infrastructure. However, the distribution of GI, sewer pipelines, and their relationship with social vulnerability remain underexplored. This study fills this gap by assessing stormwater infrastructure in Washington, D.C., against a backdrop of historical discriminatory sewage practices. It investigates whether disparities exist in the distribution of sewer pipelines and green infrastructure among communities with differing social vulnerabilities, using a comprehensive approach that encompasses GI, underground pipelines, and social vulnerability. The analysis reveals significant insights into the relationships between stormwater infrastructure, social vulnerability, and urbanization, offering valuable implications for stormwater management planning. This research contributes to the field of environmental justice and urban planning by shedding light on the complex interplay between infrastructure allocation, community vulnerability, and the urgent need for equitable infrastructure management, especially stormwater and sewer systems, in the face of climate-related challenges. • The capacity of Washington, D.C.'s sewer system has not kept pace with the rapid urban development. • Statistically significant link between social vulnerability and stormwater infrastructure. • GI distribution in DC is misaligned with highest-need areas, worsening inequality with limited pipeline capacity. • Planning efforts need to address stormwater infrastructure disparities in DC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]