At our lab, we are combining cutting-edge technology, data-driven methods, and international research collaboration to tackle some of the most pressing challenges brought by climate change. Working closely with research institutes across the region, such as the University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, we are currently focused on Chiang Rai, a rapidly growing city in northern Thailand, where water security is under increasing stress. Our goal is to provide sustainable and science-backed solutions to improve water supply reliability while strengthening ecosystem resilience.

Chiang Rai is not immune to the complex web of climate-driven disruptions that affect many urban centers across Southeast Asia. Shifts in rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and rapid urbanization have started to overwhelm traditional water infrastructure. While conventional engineering approaches remain important, they often fall short when it comes to sustainability, cost, and environmental impact. That’s why we are exploring Nature-based Solutions (NBS)—innovative, eco-friendly strategies that mimic natural processes to secure water supply, regulate floods, and improve groundwater recharge.

Our project is structured in four key parts. First, we assess the current and future water balance of Chiang Rai by integrating climate projections from the latest climate models. We bias-correct these projections using statistical techniques and simulate future scenarios with hydrological modeling tools. In parallel, we conduct household and institutional surveys to understand the demand, supply gaps, and quality of water services. This diagnostic phase helps us identify where the system is most vulnerable and what types of interventions would be most effective.

In the second phase, we evaluate potential NBS by assessing water security across multiple dimensions, including supply, governance, disaster resilience, and sanitation. Through this process, we simulate how various green infrastructure options—like reforestation, rain gardens, or constructed wetlands—would perform under projected climate and urban growth conditions. These simulations are grounded in both environmental and socio-economic indicators, ensuring that proposed solutions are locally appropriate and socially inclusive.

We then move to real-world testing. In Chiang Rai, two NBS pilot projects will be implemented and monitored over the next 6 to 18 months. This hands-on component includes site mapping, NBS design, pilot execution, and continuous monitoring of performance indicators such as water availability, ecosystem health, and community satisfaction. These case studies are designed to generate practical knowledge on the feasibility, benefits, and trade-offs of each solution in a real urban context.

Finally, our project places a strong emphasis on capacity building and policy integration. We are identifying institutional gaps, providing training to local officials, and engaging with policymakers to mainstream NBS into city planning. Through workshops, stakeholder dialogues, and policy briefs, we aim to ensure that the insights gained from Chiang Rai not only improve water security locally but also inspire broader adoption of nature-based strategies across Thailand.

By bringing science, community, and policy together, we believe Chiang Rai can serve as a model for sustainable urban water management in a changing climate.