This study explores the challenges and opportunities of achieving multifunctionality in urban green infrastructure (GI). Despite decades of research, GI has not been fully integrated into urban planning due to a focus on passive ecosystem services and a lack of coordination across objectives and elements. The study identifies 15 GI elements (e.g., green roofs) and 15 objectives (e.g., biodiversity) that should be considered together during planning, design, and implementation. It highlights that current literature often isolates discussions of "engineered" GI elements with water-related objectives, while more "natural" GI are linked to biodiversity and human well-being. Coordinating across these objectives and elements is essential, but evaluating too many options risks a paradox of choice. The study recommends short-term adherence to principles of adaptive design and long-term reemphasis on multifunctionality assessments, inter and transdisciplinary collaboration, and political will. It also emphasizes the need for a systems approach to ensure GI supports multifunctionality before implementation. The study presents a matrix of GI elements and objectives (E/O matrix) to guide planning and design, highlighting gaps in literature and the need for coordination. The matrix shows that silos remain in literature, with some objectives and elements dominating discussions while others are underrepresented. The study concludes that a transition to systems thinking is needed to facilitate coordination across multiple objectives during GI planning, design, and maintenance. It also calls for interdisciplinary research and collaboration to address the challenges of multifunctional GI planning and design.This study explores the challenges and opportunities of achieving multifunctionality in urban green infrastructure (GI). Despite decades of research, GI has not been fully integrated into urban planning due to a focus on passive ecosystem services and a lack of coordination across objectives and elements. The study identifies 15 GI elements (e.g., green roofs) and 15 objectives (e.g., biodiversity) that should be considered together during planning, design, and implementation. It highlights that current literature often isolates discussions of "engineered" GI elements with water-related objectives, while more "natural" GI are linked to biodiversity and human well-being. Coordinating across these objectives and elements is essential, but evaluating too many options risks a paradox of choice. The study recommends short-term adherence to principles of adaptive design and long-term reemphasis on multifunctionality assessments, inter and transdisciplinary collaboration, and political will. It also emphasizes the need for a systems approach to ensure GI supports multifunctionality before implementation. The study presents a matrix of GI elements and objectives (E/O matrix) to guide planning and design, highlighting gaps in literature and the need for coordination. The matrix shows that silos remain in literature, with some objectives and elements dominating discussions while others are underrepresented. The study concludes that a transition to systems thinking is needed to facilitate coordination across multiple objectives during GI planning, design, and maintenance. It also calls for interdisciplinary research and collaboration to address the challenges of multifunctional GI planning and design.