Urbanization is advancing at a rapid pace worldwide, and according to predictions, by the middle of this century, 80% of the global population of 9 billion people will live in cities. This phenomenon brings numerous challenges such as polluted rivers, increased risks of floods and droughts, and hotter summer months due to a lack of green spaces. Water becomes a crucial element for creating environmentally sustainable urban environments.
In response to these challenges, Professor Ana Deletić, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, delivered a lecture titled “How to Design Smart Urban Water Systems in an Era of Uncertainty”.
During the lecture, key topics were addressed, including the causes of uncertainty in water infrastructure planning, the role of AI models in times of uncertainty, and rapid assessment of damage caused by climate change. Predictions about what future cities and their water infrastructure will look like in an era of uncertain population growth and climate change were also presented. Additionally, innovative approaches to planning future water infrastructure developed by the “Green AI” research group were showcased.
Prof. Deletić’s insights highlighted the necessity of integrating advanced technologies and AI to manage and mitigate the complex challenges faced by urban water systems, ensuring they are resilient and adaptable to future uncertainties.