Online Expert Training: Urban NBS and Flooding: From Design to Model, and What Comes Next
This expert training session will address Urban Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and Flooding: From Design to Model, and What Comes Next, providing participants with insights into the practical design and performance of NBS for flood control, their integration into hydrological and hydraulic models, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in supporting NBS planning and flood risk management.
The expert training agenda can be found below.
| Time (CET) | Activity Description | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 – 10:10 | Welcome and warm-up | Project and series overview, aims of the day, short poll (role, experience with NBS and modelling). |
| 10:10 – 10:50 | Session 1: Urban NBS for engineers | Main NBS types and what each does hydrologically: green roofs, rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavements, tree pits, blue-green corridors. Selection and siting in practice: space constraints, soils and groundwater, existing drainage, maintenance and cost. |
| 10:50 – 11:00 | Break | 10 min |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | Session 2: Design and performance for flood control | Key design parameters (storage volume, infiltration rate, drainage area ratio, overflow), sizing against design storms, measured performance versus design assumptions, failure modes (clogging, saturation, extreme events). Rules of thumb and pitfalls. |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Q&A | |
| 12:00 – 12:20 | Lunch break | 20 minutes |
| 12:20 – 13:10 | Session 3: Modelling NBS step by step (with Q&A) | Goals and scale, data needs, representing NBS in the model (e.g. LID controls in SWMM, 1D/2D coupling), calibration and validation, typical errors. Live demo of setting up a simple SWMM NBS scenario and comparing it with the baseline. |
| 13:10 – 13:20 | Break | 10 min |
| 13:20 – 13:40 | Session 4: End-to-end case study | A project example: problem definition, NBS options, modelling, scenario comparison, decision. Emphasis on lessons learned and what went wrong or was costly. |
| 13:40 – 13:55 | Session 5: Where AI fits | Mapping pain points where AI can help (surrogate models for fast scenario runs, parameter estimation, NBS detection from imagery, siting optimisation), and AI limitations. |
| 13:55 – 14:25 | Q&A | Q&A with speakers & final poll. |
| 14:25 – 14:30 | Wrap-up | Takeaways, materials, link to the upcoming AI training. |
Moderator:
• Dr. Milan Stojkovic, The Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development of Serbia
Lecturers:
• Dr. Natasa Manojlovic, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH)
• Dr. Veljko Prodanovic, The Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development of Serbia
This training will provide participants with practical insights into the design and modelling of urban Nature-Based Solutions for flood risk management, while exploring how AI can support more informed and effective planning decisions. We look forward to engaging discussions and knowledge exchange among participants and experts.
