In an increasingly urbanized world, water systems must be designed and operated according to innovative standards in terms of climate adaptation, resource efficiency, sustainability and resilience. This grand challenge triggers unprecedented questions for hydro-environment research and engineering. Shifts in paradigms are urgently needed in the way we view (circular) water systems, water as a renewable energy (production and storage), risk management of floods, storms, sea level rise and droughts, as well as their consequences on water quality, morphodynamics (e.g., reservoir sedimentation, scour, sustainability of deltas) and the environment. Addressing these issues requires a deep understanding of basic processes in fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, surface and groundwater flow, among others.
About the Author: Dr. Sébastien Erpicum obtained a PhD from the University of Liege in 2006, where he is now an Assistant Professor. He is also in charge of the Engineering Hydraulics Laboratory, an experimental facility of about 1500 m² in which composite modelling is largely promoted for studying flows and transport processes of interest in environmental and civil engineering. He is a member of the IAHR Hydraulic Structures Committee.
Prof. Benjamin Dewals is Associate Professor in Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management at the University of Liege where he received his PhD in 2006. His main research interests cover flood risk management, fluvial hydraulics and reservoir sedimentation. He conducted research in several leading European institutions, including at EPFL (Switzerland) and in Germany. He is a member of the IAHR Europe Regional Division leadership team and of the IAHR Flood Risk Management Committee.
Dr Pierre Archambeau obtained a PhD from the University of Liege in 2006, for several new contributions to physically based hydrological modelling and flood hazard modelling. He is continuously working on several hydraulic and hydrological modelling projects and is currently the main developer of the WOLF modelling system.
Prof. Michel Pirotton obtained a PhD from the University of Liege in 1994. He is currently Full Professor and vice-president of AQUAPôLE, an interdisciplinary research and competence centre in water sciences serving public, regional and international institutions as well as private companies. Prof. Michel PIROTTON coordinates a group of about 15 researchers contributing, among other research activities, to the development of the modelling system WOLF, which simulates hydrological flow, fluvial processes and flow on hydraulic structures.
