The University of Florida, the University of Indonesia, and Cardiff University researchers together will investigate how greening urban areas can transform water and flood management, increase sustainability, and reduce the ecological footprint of buildings and cities. During 2 years, the collaboration will research and develop novel ways of “building with nature” and explore how these practices can be transferred from one location to another.

“By taking advantage of the multiple benefits of green infrastructure, we hope to provide substantial economic, social, and environmental gains not only for the U.S. and Europe, but also developing countries around the world,” said Andrea Frank, the Cardiff project lead based in the School of Planning and Geography. “To do this, we will need to develop approaches that are sensitive to local culture, knowledge, and expertise.”

Through a series of workshops hosted by the three partners in Jakarta, Cardiff, and Florida, the project will bring together expertise in sustainable, green building construction; modelling of energy and water use in buildings and urban environments; and urban design and planning.

A grant for this research was awarded to the university consortium as part of the wider Global Innovation Initiative (GII) — a shared commitment of the U.K. and U.S. governments to strengthen research collaboration between universities in these countries and emerging economies.