Harnessing technology and nature to transform urban water management
As part of the Autodesk Water Webinar Series, the session 'Leveraging Rainwater Management for Climate Resilience' brought together leading experts in nature-based solutions, hydraulic modeling, and stormwater management to tackle the pressing challenges posed by climate change in today’s urban environments. Moderated by Cristina Novo, Technical Editor at Smart Water Magazine, the webinar emphasized the urgent need for adaptive, sustainable approaches to water management, especially in light of recent destructive floods in eastern Spain. Novo opened the session by underlining the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, driving home the necessity for robust, resilient water management solutions in densely populated urban areas.
Rebecca Willey, Technical Solutions Engineer at Autodesk, was the first to speak, presenting Autodesk’s commitment to innovation and global resilience. “Autodesk is a global leader with a diverse team of employees across the world. Our focus is on delivering innovative solutions, with a significant investment in research and development to stay ahead of industry trends. We’re committed to understanding and exceeding our customers' expectations, continually enhancing our offerings to meet their evolving needs,” Willey stated, underscoring Autodesk's dedication to proactive climate resilience.
In her presentation, Willey introduced Autodesk’s InfoWorks ICM, an advanced catchment planning platform that seamlessly integrates surface and subsurface flows, urban and rural infrastructure, and real-time weather data. The software offers predictive modeling capabilities that help anticipate extreme flow events and design rapid response strategies. According to Willey, this tool is crucial for analyzing and optimizing existing drainage networks to ensure compliance with the increasingly stringent environmental regulations that are emerging worldwide. “InfoWorks ICM is a comprehensive, fully integrated catchment management tool that incorporates buildings, infrastructure, industrial, and residential areas. It provides a complete understanding of your catchment area, ensuring your systems perform optimally now and, in the future,” Willey explained. This tool has allowed for proactive management of water flow, helping mitigate flood risks in vulnerable areas and ensuring communities are better protected.
Anthony McCloy, Managing Director at McLoy Consulting, followed Willey’s technical overview by focusing on the effectiveness and necessity of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in urban water management. McCloy emphasized the role of a catchment-based approach, guided by a long-term strategy that seeks to achieve multiple benefits. “We need a catchment-based approach guided by a long-term strategy, where achieving multiple benefits is essential, not optional. Our focus must be on designing with people and the environment at the forefront,” he stated, highlighting the human-centered philosophy driving modern water management strategies. For McCloy, NBS is not only essential for managing excess water during intense rainfall but also plays a pivotal role in reducing water pollution, fostering urban biodiversity, and enhancing the quality of life for city residents.
NBS is not only essential for managing excess water during intense rainfall but also plays a pivotal role in reducing water pollution, fostering urban biodiversity, and enhancing the quality of life for city residents
McCloy elaborated on how Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) help manage water within multifunctional spaces across urban landscapes, including green areas, wetlands, and permeable pavements. He shared an example from a project in London, where SUDS integrates play areas with water retention zones, achieving dual benefits of flood prevention and providing recreational spaces that connect communities with nature. McCloy’s insights underscored the broader vision of transforming urban infrastructure to serve multiple roles—prioritizing sustainability, community engagement, and resilience. However, he noted the significant challenge of moving away from traditional “grey” infrastructure, which prioritizes rapid water evacuation via underground pipe systems. Instead, McCloy advocated for approaches that retain water within the environment, enabling natural filtration and reuse, thereby reducing demand on conventional drainage infrastructure and minimizing pollution in nearby water bodies.
The session’s Q&A brought additional depth to these discussions, with attendees posing questions that addressed real-world implementation challenges. One participant from Singapore asked how stormwater management systems could be adapted for densely populated cities. McCloy responded by emphasizing the importance of integrating stormwater solutions with broader infrastructure initiatives, such as active mobility projects and urban regeneration efforts. By identifying synergies between these initiatives and stormwater management strategies, cities can achieve greater benefits without requiring extensive additional space. Implementation costs and funding were also addressed: a Canadian participant inquired about implementing taxes to fund stormwater management, a proposal that has sparked both support and resistance in the country. McCloy responded by highlighting Germany’s approach, where tax reductions are offered to buildings that incorporate green infrastructure like vegetated roofs, which help manage rainwater. This approach has incentivized property owners to adopt these practices, creating positive impacts for both water management and the local economy.
An engineer from the United Arab Emirates inquired about adapting SUDS for arid climates, where rain is intense but sporadic. McCloy explained that while these solutions are primarily designed for wetter climates, they can be tailored for arid regions by incorporating drought-tolerant native plants and permeable pavements that retain water when necessary. He also highlighted the importance of community engagement, educating residents on the benefits of temporary water retention in designated urban areas to support these systems’ effectiveness in dry environments.
Nature-based solutions and strategic use of technology offer cities an unprecedented opportunity to become more resilient, eco-friendly, and people-centric
Another participant raised concerns about potential mosquito proliferation in water retention infrastructure. McCloy recommended incorporating water movement mechanisms, such as fountains or circulators, to discourage mosquito larvae development, and designing the systems to gradually release water to prevent stagnation. This nuanced approach ensures that the environmental benefits of wetlands and water retention areas can be maintained without compromising public health.
The session concluded with reflections from both speakers on the transformative potential of combining nature-based solutions with advanced digital tools for sustainable, resilient urban environments. McCloy closed with an optimistic outlook, emphasizing that nature-based solutions and strategic use of technology offer cities an unprecedented opportunity to become more resilient, eco-friendly, and people-centric. Both Willey and McCloy emphasized that while these approaches mark a significant shift from conventional practices, the long-term benefits to society, ecosystems, and urban resilience make the shift essential.
This well-attended webinar reinforced the importance of an integrated approach to urban water management — one that balances technical innovation with environmental and community needs. As the Autodesk Water Webinar Series continues, the upcoming session on November 27 will focus on blue-green infrastructure, with a case study from the Mansfield Sustainable Flood Resilience Project, one of the UK’s most ambitious nature-based solutions projects. This forward-looking series remains a vital platform for water sector professionals, underscoring Autodesk’s commitment to empowering cities to meet the climate challenges of today and tomorrow.