PhD Thesis Presentation - Evaluating Artificial Intelligence and Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Adaptation of Urban Stormwater Infrastructure

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, placing growing pressure on urban stormwater infrastructure. Meanwhile, efforts to upgrade and retrofit existing systems are constrained by limited land availability, financial costs, ageing infrastructure, and concerns over social equity, highlighting the need for more adaptive and resilient approaches. In this context, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) present new opportunities for intelligent stormwater management, while nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognized for their capacity to provide both flood mitigation and wider environmental and social co-benefits. Stakeholder co-design is also essential for ensuring that adaptation measures are feasible, locally relevant, and socially supported. Against this background, the first study evaluates the application of the Graph-WaveNet model for short-term prediction of stormwater drainage network states, demonstrating its potential to support intelligent stormwater management, particularly in forecasting downstream pipe and junction conditions during peak rainfall events. The second study examines the hydrological and thermal performance of bioretention systems in urban canyons using a modified Urban Tethys-Chloris model, showing that such systems can deliver co-benefits while also revealing the strong influence of local context and design conditions on their effectiveness. The third study demonstrates the flood mitigation benefits of wetland and forest restoration using a hydrodynamic model, and further shows through stakeholder engagement that effective co-design requires not only evidence of regional flood mitigation benefits, but also site-specific information, pilot-scale evidence, accessible participatory tools, and financial support. Overall, this thesis highlights the value of AI, NbS co-benefits, and stakeholder co-design in advancing climate adaptation for urban stormwater infrastructure. It contributes practical and transferable knowledge for developing more adaptive, resilient, and socially responsive stormwater management strategies under a changing climate.