Raghid Shehayeb

Doctoral Thesis

Working title:
Indicator-Based Drought and Heat Risk Assessment for Urban Green Infrastructure

Supervisors:
Prof. Dr. Jochen Schanze, Dresden University of Technology (TUD);
Dr-Ing. Habil. Regine Ortlepp, Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER)

TUD Faculty:
Faculty of Environmental Sciences

IOER Research area:
Built Environment - Resources and Environmental Risks (FB R)

Abstract: 
Drought and heat hazards pose a great threat to urban areas and its green infrastructure, and climate change is expected to increase the intensity and frequency of these hazards. Acknowledging that resilient urban green infrastructure (UGI) is key to sustainable urban development, this research aims to assess the drought and heat risks for UGI and their ecosystem services (ES) with multi-level spatio-temporal indicators. This is achieved by: (1) Developing an assessment framework for the drought and heat risks referring to UGI; (2) deriving a multi-criteria indicator-based tool to be used for the compound drought and heat vulnerability and risk assessment of UGI and its ES; (3) Implementing and testing the tool by assessing the vulnerability and risk for selected UGI in an urban area. The first phase of the study will provide a systematic conceptualisation and operationalisation of the drought and heat situation for UGI. In the second phase, the biophysical risk system is translated into informational layers represented by vulnerability and risk indicators for the UGI elements and ES (provisional, regulating, and cultural). Subsequently, in phase 3, the assessment tool is tested in a study area and the vulnerability of the UGI with its spatio-temporal variability will be assessed. The risk is calculated with its hazard, exposure and vulnerability components using case-relevant indicators. A multi-criteria evaluation with the involvement of local actors is used to evaluate the current risks and the risks under potential alternatives. The results are expected to support decision makers in understanding the drought and heat risks for UGI and effectively addressing these risks under dynamic conditions.

CV

Education

03/2021-present
Doctoral Fellow at the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS)

09/2018-12/2020
University of Applied Sciences, Cologne, Germany
Academic Degree: M.Sc. in Integrated Water Resources Management

09/2010-06/2015
Beirut Arab University, Lebanon
Academic Degree: B.Eng. in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Professional Experience

10/2020-01/2021
UNU-FLORES /Research Assistant Intern
Providing research and organizational support within several ongoing UNU-Flores projects: Water management in the textile industries; International Water Colloquium: Cooperation in water management; SMART-WaterDomain

08/2016-08/2018
Khota Ashabab Org./ Project Coordinator
Working as a consultant for Khota Ashabab NGO in Aley, coordinating with GIZ/CPS to develop a strategic plan for the Khota Ashabab, facilitate meetings, provide workshops, co-plan projects and activities, and proposal writing

02/2018-07/2018
Modern University for Business and Science/ Teaching Assistant (Part-time)
Support the main professor in multiple teaching roles including content delivery, further explanation of required tasks, correction of reports and examination, and preparation of presentations