Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 24, 2026

Design and Construction of an Urban Runoff Research Facility
Published on: August 8, 2014
Making waves: Benefits of "Big Science" - mobilising research infrastructures for urban drainage
Abigail Legge1, Simon Tait2, Francois Clemens-Meyer3
1Independent researcher, France.
Abstract:
Urban drainage (UD) faces major challenges internationally, including climate change, deteriorating infrastructure, and new emerging pollutants. Its innovation capacity is constrained by fragmented national research efforts. Adopting a "Big Science" transnational access (TNA) approach, centred on open, distributed Research Infrastructures (RIs), can accelerate progress by strengthening collaboration, harmonising protocols, and enabling FAIR-aligned, quality-assured data workflows. The Co-UDlabs project demonstrates how transnational access to distributed RIs can mobilise expertise, broaden stakeholder and industry participation, and generate robust evidence for policy and operational practice. Scaling this model across Europe and beyond could reduce duplication, enhance trust in innovation, and support long-term transformation of the UD sector. Big Science principles can help better position UD as a strategic field for societal investment essential for urban resilience and the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment
Applications of GIS: Disaster Management and Emergency Response
Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water
Typical Model Studies
Multiple Pipe Systems
Series Configuration
In a series configuration, fluid flows sequentially from one pipe...
