ENAC Seminar Series by Dr P. Bach
Event details
| Date | 16.09.2021 |
| Hour | 13:00 › 14:00 |
| Speaker | Dr Peter Bach |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
13:00 – 14:00 – Dr Peter Bach
Research Scientist, Eawag, CH
Supporting the planning of multi-functional Blue Green Systems for climate-adaptive, liveable, and ecological cities
Cities are facing an increasing list of grand challenges including climate change, rapid urbanisation, population growth, biodiversity loss and, more recently, the global pandemic. Planning for liveable and sustainable cities recognises the need for integrated approaches and solutions that deliver multiple benefits in cost effective ways. Harnessing and protecting the natural capital of urban areas is increasingly recognised worldwide as an important and effective strategy to climate resilience and safeguarding our urban environments. Concurrently, urban water management has evolved from providing basic water services to a more holistic and all-encompassing paradigm that balances human and environmental needs. The emerging concept of Blue Green Systems comprises nature-based solutions that range from decentralised technologies to strategically planned urban green spaces and non-structural measures such as policy and planning controls. Despite having different names including Water Sensitive Urban Design, Low Impact Development, Green Infrastructure and Sponge Cities, common philosophies exist, and their multi-functional capabilities have been recognised through the attention they have received across different disciplines. As our knowledge of Blue Green Systems grows, there is also increasing necessity to understand how we can fully harness the multiple benefits that such a rich toolbox of solutions can provide. Planning Blue Green Systems, however, still remains a technological and institutional challenge.
This seminar presents an insight into my interdisciplinary journey on understanding how we can leverage these systems for urban water, urban climate, human and ecological benefits. It will showcase recent research into integrated modelling approaches that can support planners, architects, and engineers in diagnosing challenges, designing efficient solutions, and realising the “Blue Green City” – an emerging archetype of urban environments that is resilient, liveable, ecologically sustainable, and responsive to future challenges.
Short bio:
Dr Peter Marcus Bach is an interdisciplinary research scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology (Eawag) and honorary adjunct research fellow at Monash University, Australia. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and PhD in Water Systems Modelling from Monash University in 2009 and 2014 respectively. Peter’s core research focus is on the planning of Blue Green Systems, nature-based solutions that provide a variety of urban water services and other benefits to humans and ecosystems. He is best known for his work on the planning-support tool UrbanBEATS, a model which integrates GIS analysis and water systems modelling to support the planning, design and implementation of sustainable solutions and policies in urban areas. UrbanBEATS provides an interface between academia and practice, providing insight and guidance on how such novel approaches can be realised through architectural design, smart urban water management and effective stakeholder engagement. Peter is also involved in the International Water Association (IWA) Specialist Group on Modelling and Integrated Assessment, current chair of the IWA Working Group on Modelling Integrated Urban Water Systems and one of the of the founding members and managing editors of the IWA Journal Blue Green Systems.
Research Scientist, Eawag, CH
Supporting the planning of multi-functional Blue Green Systems for climate-adaptive, liveable, and ecological cities
Cities are facing an increasing list of grand challenges including climate change, rapid urbanisation, population growth, biodiversity loss and, more recently, the global pandemic. Planning for liveable and sustainable cities recognises the need for integrated approaches and solutions that deliver multiple benefits in cost effective ways. Harnessing and protecting the natural capital of urban areas is increasingly recognised worldwide as an important and effective strategy to climate resilience and safeguarding our urban environments. Concurrently, urban water management has evolved from providing basic water services to a more holistic and all-encompassing paradigm that balances human and environmental needs. The emerging concept of Blue Green Systems comprises nature-based solutions that range from decentralised technologies to strategically planned urban green spaces and non-structural measures such as policy and planning controls. Despite having different names including Water Sensitive Urban Design, Low Impact Development, Green Infrastructure and Sponge Cities, common philosophies exist, and their multi-functional capabilities have been recognised through the attention they have received across different disciplines. As our knowledge of Blue Green Systems grows, there is also increasing necessity to understand how we can fully harness the multiple benefits that such a rich toolbox of solutions can provide. Planning Blue Green Systems, however, still remains a technological and institutional challenge.
This seminar presents an insight into my interdisciplinary journey on understanding how we can leverage these systems for urban water, urban climate, human and ecological benefits. It will showcase recent research into integrated modelling approaches that can support planners, architects, and engineers in diagnosing challenges, designing efficient solutions, and realising the “Blue Green City” – an emerging archetype of urban environments that is resilient, liveable, ecologically sustainable, and responsive to future challenges.
Short bio:
Dr Peter Marcus Bach is an interdisciplinary research scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology (Eawag) and honorary adjunct research fellow at Monash University, Australia. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and PhD in Water Systems Modelling from Monash University in 2009 and 2014 respectively. Peter’s core research focus is on the planning of Blue Green Systems, nature-based solutions that provide a variety of urban water services and other benefits to humans and ecosystems. He is best known for his work on the planning-support tool UrbanBEATS, a model which integrates GIS analysis and water systems modelling to support the planning, design and implementation of sustainable solutions and policies in urban areas. UrbanBEATS provides an interface between academia and practice, providing insight and guidance on how such novel approaches can be realised through architectural design, smart urban water management and effective stakeholder engagement. Peter is also involved in the International Water Association (IWA) Specialist Group on Modelling and Integrated Assessment, current chair of the IWA Working Group on Modelling Integrated Urban Water Systems and one of the of the founding members and managing editors of the IWA Journal Blue Green Systems.
Practical information
- General public
- Invitation required
- This event is internal
Organizer
- ENAC
Contact
- Cristina Perez