Modelling flood depth, velocity and flow pathways at the scale where impacts occur.
A physically based modelling framework producing high-resolution flood hazard information for vulnerable urban and peri-urban settlements.
Project overview
This project develops a physically based flood hazard modelling framework for flood-prone urban and peri-urban catchments, with particular attention to vulnerable and informal settlements. It will simulate flood extent, depth, velocity and, where feasible, duration for observed extreme events and selected design storms using coupled rainfall-runoff and two-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling.
The approach will integrate terrain, land cover, drainage information and flood observations to represent the fine-scale pathways that shape local inundation. Calibration, validation and uncertainty assessment will be used to communicate confidence in the results. Outputs will be translated into maps and interactive materials that support planning, emergency preparedness, infrastructure prioritisation and public communication.
Key activities
Compile and prepare terrain, rainfall, land-cover, drainage and flood-observation data.
Develop rainfall-runoff and two-dimensional flood simulation workflows.
Simulate observed events and selected design-storm scenarios.
Calibrate and validate model performance and assess uncertainty.
Translate model outputs into planning and communication products.
Expected outputs
High-resolution inundation extent, depth and velocity maps.
Event-specific and scenario-based hazard layers.
Identification of high-hazard corridors, chokepoints and settlement-level hotspots.
Animated flood simulations and explanatory videos.
Interactive web map or scenario explorer and peer-reviewed academic outputs.
Why this project matters
Coarse flood products can overlook the micro-topography, drainage pathways and dense settlement patterns that determine local impact. High-resolution simulation provides the level of detail needed for targeted preparedness, upgrading and emergency planning.