Coalitional Game Theory for Stormwater Management and Green Infrastructure Practices

Abstract

As global warming and climate variability bring about more frequent and intense rainstorms and accelerate sea level rise, our social and built environments are at heightened risk of flood-induced damages and costs. All levels of governance stand to benefit from deepened understanding of possible outcomes resulting from decentralized human behavior in the realm of water resources engineering and management, particularly in coastal areas. Game theory allows scientists to predict preferred strategies and interactions of rational self-interested actors in coalitional games, wherein players increase their individual payoffs through formation of strategic subsets. When applied to infrastructure planning, this practice can be used to identify which coalitions should form to benefit their overall hydrologic system. This research aims to inform green infrastructure decisions in Charleston, South Carolina’s Market Street watershed using a coalitional game theory solution concept, the Shapley value, in combination with rainfall-runoff simulation in storm water management model (SWMM). Results offer insights into stormwater services and flood managers concerning suggested areas of focus for green infrastructure spending and advocacy to reduce flooding and resulting property damage.