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Nature-based Solutions apply ecological design to address societal challenges. Climate change has aggravated extreme hazard events such as floods, droughts, extreme heat, and fires that threaten livelihood of communities, especially for vulnerable populations, in addition to the sustainability of urban water systems. Conventional urbanization patterns and urban water infrastructure systems are designed based on past climate trends and unable to meet current and future needs under climate change uncertainty. Green infrastructure design as nature-based solutions applied to stormwater management and water conservation strategies aim to restore hydrological functions and provide multiple ecosystem services benefits and building community resilience. To further address climate justice, it is critical to meaningfully engage communities in co-designing nature-based solutions and evaluating landscape performance outcomes. Dr. Cheng brings case studies in convergence of natural and social sciences and integrating research, teaching, and practices for building sustainable, resilient, and just urban water systems with diverse and vulnerable communities in Honolulu, Hawai’i, and Phoenix metro area in Arizona.
Dr. Chingwen Cheng is Program Head and Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, and Environmental Design at The Design School, Arizona State University. She directs Hydro-GI Lab and co-develops green infrastructure design research and practice with stakeholders and communities for sustainable, resilient, and just urban water systems. Her Climate Justice Design methods integrate hydrological modeling, field experiments, and spatial analyses in participatory transdisciplinary processes to measure landscape performance and social impacts for sustainable development. A licensed Landscape Architect and LEED Accredited Professional, Dr. Cheng is Research Fellow of the Landscape Architecture Foundation 2020 and 2022 Case Study Investigation. She is research personnel for the Central Arizona–Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER) project and collaborator in the City-As-Lab Research Coordination Network funded by the National Science Foundation.