event
Friday 15 Mar 2019: Rapid Scenario Screening for Resilient Surface Water Management
James Webber - University of Exeter
Harrison 170 13:30-14:30
Abstract:
James will present on the development of the new 'Rapid Scenario Screening' (RSS) tool and discuss its application to UK and global case studies undertaken with a range of industry, academic and government partners. Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a novel RSS framework, capable of evaluating hundreds of surface water management scenarios at an early stage of strategic design. The benefits of this new approach include analysing how intervention type, scale and distribution can be implemented to drive reliable and resilient strategy performance across a wide range of design standard and extreme scenarios. Employing RSS as a component of strategic design evidences and steers further management actions whilst taking into account a range of stakeholder expertise, possible futures and novel interventions. The work is particularly timely given the significant damage, disruption and loss of life caused by surface water flooding across on a global scale, predicted to worsen in response to emerging challenges including climate change, urban growth and aging drainage infrastructure.
Biography:
James Webber is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Water Systems (CWS), University of Exeter. James’ work focuses on building resilient and sustainable urban environments by applying advances in surface water management research through to practical application. He is currently working with several research collaborations, including investigating regional scale application of SuDS in the UK through 'SWEEP' (the South West partnership for Economic and Environmental Prosperity) and evaluating surface water management opportunities in global cities through a partnership with the Universities of Stanford and Melbourne. Prior to his current role James completed his PhD in Water Engineering (University of Exeter) and worked as Urban Water Consultant (Halcrow/ CH2M Hill).