This study explores the intentional multifunctionality of urban green infrastructure (GI) and addresses the paradox of choice in planning, design, and construction. The authors identify 15 GI elements and 15 objectives to be considered collectively before implementation, highlighting the need for coordination across these elements and objectives. The literature often isolates discussions of "engineered" GI elements with water-related objectives and "natural" GI with biodiversity and human well-being objectives. The study recommends short-term adherence to adaptive design principles and long-term multifunctionality assessments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and political will to address the challenges of multifunctionality in GI. The results show that the current literature remains siloed, with different entities controlling elements and objectives, and suggest that a systems approach is necessary to achieve multifunctionality in GI. The study provides a matrix of GI elements and objectives to guide decision-making and highlights the need for multifunctionality assessments to identify relevant parts of the matrix for specific projects.This study explores the intentional multifunctionality of urban green infrastructure (GI) and addresses the paradox of choice in planning, design, and construction. The authors identify 15 GI elements and 15 objectives to be considered collectively before implementation, highlighting the need for coordination across these elements and objectives. The literature often isolates discussions of "engineered" GI elements with water-related objectives and "natural" GI with biodiversity and human well-being objectives. The study recommends short-term adherence to adaptive design principles and long-term multifunctionality assessments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and political will to address the challenges of multifunctionality in GI. The results show that the current literature remains siloed, with different entities controlling elements and objectives, and suggest that a systems approach is necessary to achieve multifunctionality in GI. The study provides a matrix of GI elements and objectives to guide decision-making and highlights the need for multifunctionality assessments to identify relevant parts of the matrix for specific projects.