The public and its assets: Performing appraisal and advocacy for blue and green infrastructure in London, England

London's water sector professionals seek to secure public funds for blue and green infrastructure projects while also engaging with local advocates river improvement. This paper argues that current project appraisal practice forms a barrier aligning investment demand because justifying requires the enactment of utilitarian good is at odds non-instrumental values motivating advocacy. Drawing on qualitative evidence performativity theory, we show how practices environmental advocacy London residents both enact publics in different arenas management: enacts general funding, particular serves articulate Whereas works through demonstrating nature's economic value people, animated by people's responsibility towards nature. We find enacted cost-benefit analysis legitimizes expenditure readily demonstrable benefits, such as flood risk mitigation, withholding from quality improvement valued publics. Comparing performativities publics, discuss conditions under which their respective underlying values. conclude frustrates delivery would respond improving rivers.