Title: Urban flood modelling: Challenges and opportunities – A stakeholder-informed analysis
Journal: Environmental Modelling & Software
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2025.106507
Abstract: Modelling urban floods is essential for disaster prevention, yet it faces limitations in accuracy due to technical, operational, and functional constraints. The study employs a primary market research analysis to explore the perspectives of both academic and non-academic experts in urban flood modelling (UFM). Identified issues include inadequate spatial and temporal model resolution, high data requirements, and non-intuitive user interfaces. Opportunities are recognized in integrating flood risks, social dynamics, future land use, climate data, and real-time information while reducing computational costs and improving usability. To address these aspects, a holistic framework has been proposed that includes features like hybrid-physics AI modelling, real-time data integration, compound flood simulation, transfer learning, sociohydrology tools, future scenario forecasting, cloud-based pipelines, interoperability, compatibility, and AI-enhanced parallel computing and user interface. Finally, we presented an ecosystem map illustrating stakeholder roles in UFM. The findings offer valuable insights into refining UFM for enhanced urban flood resilience.
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