Periodic Reporting for period 3 - Co-UDlabs (Building Collaborative Urban Drainage research labs communities)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-05-01 al 2025-04-30
The Co-UDlabs project, a four-year initiative launched in May 2021 and funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme (GA No 101008626), aimed to integrate research and innovation in Urban Drainage Systems (UDS). These systems are vital for managing wastewater and stormwater, protecting public health and the environment. However, cities face growing challenges: aging infrastructure, increased pollution, and heightened flood risks. Improving UDS is essential for the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of urban areas. Enhancements in these systems help mitigate health risks, protect aquatic ecosystems, and strengthen resilience to extreme weather.
Co-UDlabs created a transnational, multidisciplinary RI connecting European stakeholders, researchers, and innovators. RIs are key to advancing innovation in hybrid green-grey drainage solutions. It enabled knowledge sharing, co-development of project ideas, and access to 17 large-scale facilities. Co-UDlabs pursued three main objectives:
1. Fostering Cooperation through Networking Activities. The project promoted a culture of collaboration among RIs and the UDS community to build a more inclusive and efficient research. This included knowledge exchange, innovation support, and long-term RI sustainability. A key legacy is the UDRAIN Working Group, which is building the first global network of large RIs focused on UDS.
2. Facilitating Transnational Access (TA). Co-UDlabs provided free access to 17 leading European facilities through three open calls. This enabled multi-institutional and multi-sector teams to conduct breakthrough research. The project supported 31 projects, involving 227 users from 122 institutions across 26 countries. These projects tackled urbanization and climate change challenges, explored commercial applications, and contributed to new protocols and standards.
3. Advancing Services through Joint Research Activities (JRAs). The JRAs aimed to improve understanding of asset deterioration and enhance UDS resilience using smart monitoring and digital tools. Key innovations include advanced optical sensors and imaging technologies, the Urban Drainage Metrology Toolbox, a deep-learning framework for automated detection of in-pipe defects, new inspection techniques for pipe leakage and methods to model defects and insights into flooding processes and the role of maintenance in SuDS performance.
Co-UDlabs created a transnational, multidisciplinary RI connecting European stakeholders, researchers, and innovators. RIs are key to advancing innovation in hybrid green-grey drainage solutions. It enabled knowledge sharing, co-development of project ideas, and access to 17 large-scale facilities. Co-UDlabs pursued three main objectives:
1. Fostering Cooperation through Networking Activities. The project promoted a culture of collaboration among RIs and the UDS community to build a more inclusive and efficient research. This included knowledge exchange, innovation support, and long-term RI sustainability. A key legacy is the UDRAIN Working Group, which is building the first global network of large RIs focused on UDS.
2. Facilitating Transnational Access (TA). Co-UDlabs provided free access to 17 leading European facilities through three open calls. This enabled multi-institutional and multi-sector teams to conduct breakthrough research. The project supported 31 projects, involving 227 users from 122 institutions across 26 countries. These projects tackled urbanization and climate change challenges, explored commercial applications, and contributed to new protocols and standards.
3. Advancing Services through Joint Research Activities (JRAs). The JRAs aimed to improve understanding of asset deterioration and enhance UDS resilience using smart monitoring and digital tools. Key innovations include advanced optical sensors and imaging technologies, the Urban Drainage Metrology Toolbox, a deep-learning framework for automated detection of in-pipe defects, new inspection techniques for pipe leakage and methods to model defects and insights into flooding processes and the role of maintenance in SuDS performance.
Co-UDlabs is a four-year project that significantly strengthened its Transnational Access (TA) programme throughout its duration. The project effectively launched 3 calls for access to its 7 RIs facilities. These calls were disseminated through 2 online webinars, 2 hackathons, and workshop held at the Novatech 2023 conference (Lyon, 2023). As a result, following three TA Calls, Co-UDlabs’ TA programme engaged 227 user-group members from 26 countries and 122 institutions. These groups were led by user-group leaders from 16 countries. Co-UDlabs approved 31 proposals, with 33% of these projects led by non-academic entities. By the conclusion of the project the TA program had successfully completed the implementation of all 31 selected projects across its facilities. This comprehensive effort resulted in an 11% increase over the originally proposed access days.
The consortium collaborated to enhance its Joint Research Activities (JRAs) and Networking Activities (NAs) as outlined in Co-UDlabs’ Grant Agreement. For dissemination of its outcomes and collaborative work, Co-UDlabs has also strengthened its online presence and activity. The project’s website has been visited by an average of 443visitors monthly, and nearly 100 news and event reports have been posted online so far. The project’s LinkedIn account, which supports Co-UDlabs’ activities, currently has about 700 members and has recorded over 35,000 impressions in the past year.
Co-UDlabs managed to organize workshops and public events at major international conferences such as IWA’s World Water Congress (September 2022), the 10th International Conference on Sewer Processes and Networks (SPN10, 2022), Novatech 2023 or the 16th International Conference of Urban Drainage (ICUD, 2024). During the the ICUD, Co-UDlabs officially launched the new Working Group UDRAIN on Large Research Infrastructure, which will organize its first workshop during the Urban Drainage Modelling congress in September 2025.
Co-UDlabs’ Work Packages have also focused on aligning methodologies, procedures, and data from the consortium’s different facilities, fostering the exchange of best practices among researchers. The consortium has extensively worked on training and education activities with industry, the research community, regulators, public utilities, and users. By the end of the project, Co-UDlabs had already organized 6 online webinars, 2 online workshop on UD practice and research needs and 11 face to face events including 4 events for early-stage researchers, 1 PhD course, and 4 tailored workshops for industry on hydrometry and data uncertainty assessment.
Co-UDlabs partners have published 11 scientific papers, 3 technical articles and 30 datasets. Co-UDlabs members have also participated in 28 scientific conferences, at national and international level, and 4 exhibition trade events. The project has developed and released new open services for the broad community. New monitoring technologies, scalable hydrodynamic performance protocols, and reports on pollution and stormwater assessment are available as project deliverables on the Co-UDlabs Zenodo community. The project has also contributed to developing new testing protocols and national standards for stormwater management. The project also prepared two Policy Briefs related to the management of combined sewer overflows (CSO) and Co-UDlabs' contribution to European Research Infrastructures.
The consortium collaborated to enhance its Joint Research Activities (JRAs) and Networking Activities (NAs) as outlined in Co-UDlabs’ Grant Agreement. For dissemination of its outcomes and collaborative work, Co-UDlabs has also strengthened its online presence and activity. The project’s website has been visited by an average of 443visitors monthly, and nearly 100 news and event reports have been posted online so far. The project’s LinkedIn account, which supports Co-UDlabs’ activities, currently has about 700 members and has recorded over 35,000 impressions in the past year.
Co-UDlabs managed to organize workshops and public events at major international conferences such as IWA’s World Water Congress (September 2022), the 10th International Conference on Sewer Processes and Networks (SPN10, 2022), Novatech 2023 or the 16th International Conference of Urban Drainage (ICUD, 2024). During the the ICUD, Co-UDlabs officially launched the new Working Group UDRAIN on Large Research Infrastructure, which will organize its first workshop during the Urban Drainage Modelling congress in September 2025.
Co-UDlabs’ Work Packages have also focused on aligning methodologies, procedures, and data from the consortium’s different facilities, fostering the exchange of best practices among researchers. The consortium has extensively worked on training and education activities with industry, the research community, regulators, public utilities, and users. By the end of the project, Co-UDlabs had already organized 6 online webinars, 2 online workshop on UD practice and research needs and 11 face to face events including 4 events for early-stage researchers, 1 PhD course, and 4 tailored workshops for industry on hydrometry and data uncertainty assessment.
Co-UDlabs partners have published 11 scientific papers, 3 technical articles and 30 datasets. Co-UDlabs members have also participated in 28 scientific conferences, at national and international level, and 4 exhibition trade events. The project has developed and released new open services for the broad community. New monitoring technologies, scalable hydrodynamic performance protocols, and reports on pollution and stormwater assessment are available as project deliverables on the Co-UDlabs Zenodo community. The project has also contributed to developing new testing protocols and national standards for stormwater management. The project also prepared two Policy Briefs related to the management of combined sewer overflows (CSO) and Co-UDlabs' contribution to European Research Infrastructures.
Co-UDlabs was driven by a clear understanding of the evolving challenges in Urban Drainage Systems (UDS), including underused monitoring data, lack of standardization, and limited technical knowledge on solutions like Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS). To address these gaps, the project launched several strategic initiatives:
a) Strategic Roadmapping and Community Building. WP1 examined the role of Research Infrastructures (RIs) in enabling smarter and sustainable UDS. A key outcome was the creation of UDRAIN Working Group - the first global network of large RIs focused on UDS.
b) Harmonization and Data Governance. WP2 enhanced data interoperability and quality by promoting FAIR principles and defining common standards. A multilingual survey across 7 countries gathered responses on CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) data management. Despite widespread monitoring, data were often underused due to institutional and regulatory hurdles.
c) Smart Monitoring, Asset Deterioration, and Resilient UDS. Joint Research Activities (JRAs) key developments included:
-The Urban Drainage Metrology Toolbox (UDMT)
-A Deep Learning Toolbox for CCTV sewer image analysis
-A low-cost in-pipe camera for measuring joint displacement
-The MatSWMM code for simulating defect impacts on network performance
Additional research provided insights into sediment transport during floods and SuDS asset management. Advanced imaging and velocimetry techniques supported hydrodynamic assessments.
d) Policy Recommendations. One Policy in Brief on CSO management and another on Research Infrastructures.
a) Strategic Roadmapping and Community Building. WP1 examined the role of Research Infrastructures (RIs) in enabling smarter and sustainable UDS. A key outcome was the creation of UDRAIN Working Group - the first global network of large RIs focused on UDS.
b) Harmonization and Data Governance. WP2 enhanced data interoperability and quality by promoting FAIR principles and defining common standards. A multilingual survey across 7 countries gathered responses on CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) data management. Despite widespread monitoring, data were often underused due to institutional and regulatory hurdles.
c) Smart Monitoring, Asset Deterioration, and Resilient UDS. Joint Research Activities (JRAs) key developments included:
-The Urban Drainage Metrology Toolbox (UDMT)
-A Deep Learning Toolbox for CCTV sewer image analysis
-A low-cost in-pipe camera for measuring joint displacement
-The MatSWMM code for simulating defect impacts on network performance
Additional research provided insights into sediment transport during floods and SuDS asset management. Advanced imaging and velocimetry techniques supported hydrodynamic assessments.
d) Policy Recommendations. One Policy in Brief on CSO management and another on Research Infrastructures.