Urban Hydrometeorology

This course is dedicated to the hydrometeorology of the urban environment, from the micro-scale at street level to the regional scale. These are approached both in a descriptive manner and in a quantitative manner based on physical principles. The course discusses the physical basis of the urban meteorology and hydrology, followed by modelling and observational techniques to study the urban energy and water balance. So called big data and crowdsourcing methods, as well as urban land use classification are addressed. The course also deals with the physics of the human energy balance, and thermal comfort and its impact on human's health. In addition, the origin and consequences of urban flooding and droughts on worldwide (mega)cities. Part of the course is dedicated to the quantitative role of hydrometeorology in urban planning, such as urban vegetation and wadi's. The knowledge is directly related to end users data and knowledge needs for water management, business, urban design, and public health, via research projects proposed in conjunction with these end users.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• analyse the physical mechanisms behind the urban heat island, and evaluate the urban air quality, human thermal comfort (biometeorology), and analyse their dependence on heatwaves;
• analyse the role of key aspects of the urban water cycle, and assess its consequences for its response to precipitation extremes and droughts;
• evaluate the impact of design elements on the urban environment;
• apply novel measurement techniques, including crowdsourcing to sense the urban hydroclimate; and analyse and evaluate their outcome as well as their strengths and weaknesses;
• apply state of the art modelling strategies for the urban hydrometeorology, and analyse and evaluate their results and their strengths and weaknesses;
• deduce the open issues in fundamental and applied research in urban hydrometeorology, from the literature and own research.

Assumed Knowledge:
MAQ-22806 Atmosphere-Vegetation-Soil Interactions