Rapid urbanization has led to several sustainable challenges including the degradation of ecosystems and urban-rural inequality around the world. Climate change and grey infrastructure development also make urban areas more vulnerable to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and heat waves that cause social, economic and ecological damage. There is a growing consensus on using nature-based solutions, especially Green Infrastructure to tackle these challenges and enable the transition to a circular society. Rain gardens, permeable pavements, green roofs, infiltration planters, trees, tree boxes, and rainwater harvesting systems are some examples. The recent development of Digital Twin and Artificial Intelligence provides new opportunities to address these problems.

Research team
Qi Han (TU/e), Hendrik Baier (TU/e), Alexander Klippel (WUR), Marian Stuiver (WUR), Pınar Yolum (UU), Yanliu Lin (UU)