How can you finance and fund landscape architecture interventions for climate change adaptation?

1 Public funding

Public funding is the most common and reliable source of financing for landscape architecture interventions, especially for large-scale and public-oriented projects. Public funding can come from various levels of government, such as federal, state, regional or local, and can be allocated through grants, subsidies, loans, bonds, taxes or fees. Public funding can also support the planning, design and evaluation of landscape architecture interventions, as well as the capacity building and participation of stakeholders. However, public funding is often limited, competitive and subject to political and budgetary constraints.

2 Private funding

Private funding is another potential source of financing for landscape architecture interventions, especially for small-scale and private-oriented projects. Private funding can come from various actors, such as developers, businesses, foundations, NGOs, banks or individuals, and can be provided through equity, debt, donations, sponsorships or crowdfunding. Private funding can also stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship and social responsibility in landscape architecture interventions, as well as the creation of new markets and partnerships. However, private funding is often dependent on the profitability, risk and return of landscape architecture interventions, which can vary widely depending on the context and objectives.

3 Blended funding

Blended funding is a hybrid source of financing that combines public and private funding, as well as other types of funding, such as community or international funding. Blended funding can leverage the strengths and overcome the weaknesses of each funding source, as well as increase the scale, diversity and impact of landscape architecture interventions. Blended funding can also facilitate the coordination, collaboration and co-creation of landscape architecture interventions among different stakeholders, as well as the alignment of their interests and incentives. However, blended funding can also entail complex and costly arrangements, negotiations and regulations, as well as potential conflicts and trade-offs among stakeholders.

4 Green funding

Green funding is a specific source of financing that targets environmental and social benefits, as well as economic returns, of landscape architecture interventions. Green funding can come from various sources, such as green bonds, green loans, green taxes, green funds or green certificates, and can be applied to various sectors, such as energy, water, transport or agriculture. Green funding can also promote the integration, recognition and valuation of ecosystem services and natural capital in landscape architecture interventions, as well as the adoption of green standards and criteria. However, green funding can also face challenges such as the lack of clear definitions, measurements and certifications of greenness, as well as the competition and complementarity with other types of funding.

5 Adaptive funding

Adaptive funding is a flexible and responsive source of financing that adapts to the changing needs, conditions and opportunities of landscape architecture interventions. Adaptive funding can come from various sources, such as contingency funds, revolving funds, performance-based funds or adaptive management funds, and can be used for various purposes, such as contingency planning, adaptive design, adaptive maintenance or adaptive evaluation. Adaptive funding can also enable the learning, experimentation and improvement of landscape architecture interventions, as well as the coping, recovery and transformation of landscapes in the face of climate change. However, adaptive funding can also require a high level of trust, transparency and accountability among stakeholders, as well as a balance between stability and flexibility in funding arrangements.

6 Alternative funding

Alternative funding is a creative and unconventional source of financing that explores new ways of generating, allocating and using funds for landscape architecture interventions. Alternative funding can come from various sources, such as social impact bonds, land value capture, carbon credits, payment for ecosystem services or crowdfunding platforms, and can be applied to various contexts, such as urban regeneration, community empowerment, biodiversity conservation or climate change mitigation. Alternative funding can also challenge the norms, assumptions and paradigms of conventional funding, as well as inspire new visions, values and narratives for landscape architecture interventions. However, alternative funding can also encounter barriers such as the lack of awareness, acceptance and regulation of alternative funding models, as well as the uncertainty and complexity of their outcomes and impacts.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?