PhD candidate Somayeh Sadegh Koohestani explores how Blue-Green Infrastructure can be one of the keys to addressing climate-change-induced challenges that arise within urban settings.
Cities around the world are exposed to various climate change impacts and are amongst the most vulnerable of places due to their population density.
As such, nature-based solutions such as Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) have been rapidly gaining favour as a strategy for both mitigation and adaptation actions in urban environments.
Somayeh’s innovative research explores how to address transition challenges to facilitate BGI uptake within urban settings.
BGI incorporates networks of sustainable natural and semi-natural elements. Including green spaces and open water surfaces to sustainably manage stormwater into urban design that bolsters cities' resilience against climate change impacts.
Somayeh began her academic journey in Iran, where she earned her undergraduate degree in the field of urban development. This foundational experience led her towards pursuing a Master's degree in urban design, focusing her thesis on the pervasive threat of sand and dust storms in parts of Iran.
Throughout her Master's studies, she developed a keen interest in the intricate relationship between the urban built environment and climate change, recognising cities as both contributors to and victims of environmental shifts. She says, “I was more conscious of climate change, not just as a concept itself, but how it is connected to cities... how cities are one of the main drivers of climate change but are also highly impacted by it.”
In 2022, Somayeh began a new chapter in her academic career by joining the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) as a PhD Graduate Research Program candidate. Her research delves into the challenges to BGI implementation, employing Socio-Technical Transition theory as a guiding framework.
Reflecting on her PhD experience with ISF, Somayeh emphasises the program's transdisciplinary nature and its unique blend of academic rigour and real-world application. She finds fulfilment in the diverse environment of ISF, where academics collaborate with field researchers engaged in real-world projects.
She says, “From an academic perspective, ISF is a very diverse environment. It’s a unique blend of academics and field researchers who work on projects to have impact out there in the world. Just seeing that I am in a place that not only works in academia but also real-world projects makes my experience as a student that much more fulfilling.”
As she continues her PhD journey, Somayeh leaves some words of encouragement for fellow PhD candidates.
Being out of your element and being confused is part of the PhD journey. Embrace the non-linear nature of the process, keeping in mind that you do not have to have everything defined and clear at the beginning of your journey.
– Somayeh Sadegh Koohestani, ISF