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A groundbreaking flood risk study led by Nigerian researcher Kehinde A. Ojasanya has attracted international acclaim following its presentation at the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2024 held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
The study, titled “A Simplistic Approach for Evaluating Urban Flood Risk through the Integration of HEC-RAS 2D and GIS,” was carried out in 2023 during Ojasanya’s postgraduate research at the University of Hull’s Energy and Environment Institute in the United Kingdom.
Focusing on Sheffield City’s River Don, the research explored how urbanization and terrain
influence flood vulnerability. By integrating advanced hydrodynamic modelling (HEC-RAS
2D) with Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, Ojasanya simulated both historic and
hypothetical flood events, including the devastating June 2007 Sheffield floods.
The results revealed that a 100% increase in river discharge could submerge up to 45% of
Sheffield, with high-risk zones identified in the Lower Don Valley, Brightside, Attercliffe, and
the Sikh Temple Sheffield area. The findings closely matched flood risk data from the UK Environment Agency and Sheffield City Council, affirming the model’s accuracy.
“Our goal was to develop a simplified yet reliable tool that helps authorities anticipate and respond to urban flooding more effectively,” said Ojasanya. “Sheffield’s complex
terrain and flood history made it an ideal test site for this approach.”
The study highlights the potential of combining digital terrain models (DTM), GIS mapping, and hydrodynamic simulations to provide city planners with actionable insights for flood management. These tools not only forecast flood spread but also identify critical infrastructure at risk; a key step in improving early warning systems and climate resilience.
Presented at one of the world’s most prestigious environmental congresses, Ojasanya’s work is now published in the proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
and available on ResearchGate.
Urban flooding is a growing global concern, and this research demonstrates how accessible digital tools can support sustainable planning and protect vulnerable communities,” he added.
Ojasanya’s achievement adds to Nigeria’s growing reputation for excellence in climate
resilience and sustainable engineering research, showing how homegrown talent continues to make impact on the global stage.
