Determinants of sustainable drainage systems adoption: evidence from a household survey in France

Part of the success of climate change adaptation strategies relies on the accurate identification of barriers and incentives to the installation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) by private individuals. To identify the variables influencing that willingness, we carried out a questionnaire-based survey in the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg (France). Descriptive statistics on the 359 responses highlight, in particular, a lack of knowledge about rainwater management. Those who have already installed one SuDS identify both economic and environmental advantages. Results of a binomial logit show that, unlike socio-economic characteristics of respondents, variables of perception influence the willingness of households to adopt SuDS. Social norms play an important role and a spatial adoption contagion is observed but the word of mouth phenomenon does not seem to be present. This study adds new insights into understanding what is needed to encourage households to install SuDS of their own and mainstream these blue-green infrastructures.