Water Resources Management in Urban Science: The Role of Hydrological Modeling

Dear Colleagues,

Rainfall–runoff models comprise ubiquitous tools for water resources planning and management in urban environments, being commonly utilized for risk assessment, flood-related damage quantification, alert issues, the design of hydraulic structures, and the operation of water supply reservoir systems. Hydrological models have also been increasingly used for defining strategies addressing adaptation to climate change and enhancing resilience in urban areas. On the other hand, rainfall–runoff simulation is challenging in many urban regions due to the limited availability of data, at appropriate spatiotemporal resolutions, for parameter estimation and model validation, the usually fast hydrological response of small impervious catchments, and the influence of microclimate and heat islands under conditions of extreme flooding. Consequently, model outputs alone may be insufficient to properly inform decision-making, which highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the benefits and limitations of rainfall––runoff models for urban planning and governance. Additionally, formal quantification and decomposition of modeling uncertainty, which are paramount for the improvement of fast and flash-flood forecasting, to assess innovative solutions for climate change adaptation in a robust and rigorous manner, and to ensure urban water security, remain underexplored topics in urban hydrology.

In this context, this Special Issue addresses the role of hydrological modeling in urban environments, with focus on innovative methods for rainfall–runoff simulation in urban catchments and theoretical developments for proper uncertainty quantification and model scrutiny. We also welcome submissions relying on hydrological modeling for flood forecasting and nowcasting, and for nature-based solutions addressing flood mitigation, under both current and future climate scenarios. By integrating novel approaches to derive more realistic rainfall–runoff models, in situ and alternative data sources, and theoretical and exploratory research for adaptation and resilience increase, we aim to contribute to urban development and sustainability, offering sound solutions to reconcile water resources management and human health and well-being in urban environments.

Dr. Veber Afonso Figueiredo Costa
Dr. Priscilla Moura
Prof. Dr. Eduardo Mário Mendiondo
Prof. Dr. Nilo de Oliveira Nascimento
Guest Editors

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• rainfall–runoff models
• forecasting and nowcasting
• uncertainty quantification
• resilience
• urban planning
• nature-based solutions
• water security