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Cities, Settlements and Infrastructure - Urban Flooding

Tracks
Cities, Settlements and Infrastructure
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Auditorium 1&2 (live streaming)

Speaker

Dr Gundula Winter
Coastal Risk and Adaptation
Deltares

FloodAdapt: A decision-support tool to accelerate adaptation to compound flood risk

8:00 AM - 8:15 AM

Abstract

Biography

Gundula Winter is a senior advisor and researcher for sea level rise impact assessments and coastal adaptation, and a key developer of end-user oriented tools for adaptation planning at Deltares. In her work, she is most excited about bridging the gap between quantitative adaptation assessments and long-term pathways thinking.
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Assoc Prof Silvia Serrao-Neumann
Associate Professor Environmental Planning
University of Waikato

Dealing with uncertainty in flood risk management and land-use planning decisions: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand

8:15 AM - 8:30 AM

Abstract

Biography

Associate Professor Silvia Serrao-Neumann receives funding from MBIE Endeavour project 'Reducing flood inundation hazard and risk across Aotearoa-New Zealand', and Toka Tū Ake the Natural Hazards Commission. She has published widely on topics related to water resource management, climate change adaptation, and urban and regional planning.
Dr Ruth Lewellen
Doctoral Student
Victoria University of Wellington / Te Herenga Waka

The politics of flood management: Westport’s struggle for a secure future

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

Abstract

Biography

Ruth Lewellen is a doctoral student investigating the intersection of policy, economics, and power in climate adaptation decision-making. With a background in natural sciences – focusing in mathematical modelling of ecological systems – she now applies a social science lens to explore how governance and institutional dynamics shape environmental outcomes in a changing climate.
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Dr Cathy Bebelman
Chief Scientist
Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport’s road network landslide susceptibility framework to improve asset resilience

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Abstract

Biography

Dr Cathy Bebelman is scientist with expertise in environmental sustainability and transport infrastructure. In her current role she provides thought leadership to position Auckland for a lower carbon and resilient future. As the Chief Scientist, Cathy leads the environment, climate and social equity work for Auckland Transport.
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Dr Fabiana Barbi Seleguim
Post-doctoral Researcher
University of Sao Paulo

Climate governance, adaptation, and human rights: insights from São Paulo’s Resilient Municipalities project

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

Abstract

Biography

Sociologist, PhD in Environment and Society, and former visiting researcher at San Francisco State University, the Institute of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences at Fudan University, China, and the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University, Canada.
Dr Emily Lane
Principal Scientist: Natural Hazards and Hydrodynamics
Earth Sciences New Zealand

Consistent national-scale flood hazard and risk information for adaptation planning

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Abstract

Biography

Emily is a principal scientist in natural hazards and hydrodynamic focusing on flood, tsunami and storm surge inundation. She currently leads Mā te haumaru ō te wai - an Endeavour programme focussed on understanding Aotearoa's flood inundation hazard and risk at a national level to improve our resilience to flooding.
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Mr Sam Archie
Data Engineer
Urban Intelligence

Strategic retreat: balancing risk and societal goals in land-use planning

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Abstract

Biography

Sam Archie is a Climate Risk and Systems Analyst at Urban Intelligence; a company supporting community resilience. Sam had no idea that years later he would get to play a role that sparks sustainable urban transformation and empowers communities to become more resilient, healthy, and inclusive.
Prof Janet Stephenson
Research Professor
University of Otago

Facilitator

Biography

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