The Martin Centre Research Seminar - Maryam Imani

The Martin Centre Research Seminars - Lent Term Seminar 5

We are delighted to welcome Dr Maryam Imani (Associate Professor of Water Systems Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University) who will give a talk on:

'Resilience: Rethinking Urban Infrastructure Design'

Talk Abstract:

Disasters and their cascading effects cause significant damage and long-lasting impacts on communities, as evidenced by recent storms, floods, and earthquakes globally. Building disaster resilience in urban areas is crucial for safeguarding infrastructure and communities. Resilience thinking involves proactive planning, early engagement, learning and adaptation, and partnerships to enhance disaster resilience and minimise costs. This approach embraces resilience paradoxes and emphasises flexibility to help communities thrive post-disaster. This talk outlines the key elements of a resilience framework essential for effective planning and safeguarding. It provides examples that highlight how communities have addressed and responded to disasters, illustrating both successes and challenges.

Bio:

Dr Maryam Imani is an Associate Professor of Water Systems Engineering at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Essex, UK. She leads the SURIC Research Group and the Sustainable Futures Research Theme at ARU. She chairs the International Water Association’s ‘Alliance on Water Sensitive Design & Planning’ Group and coordinates ARU’s International Alliance on Disaster Resilience Network. Dr Imani has led several research projects on water and wastewater infrastructure and systems resilience, collaborating with regional, national, and international partners, particularly in the Global South. She has contributed to several publications disseminating the outcomes of her research.