During the conference, specifically on the second day, June 8, 2023, in Session VIII at INNOVATHENS 1st FLOOR dedicated to “Water NBS III” and chaired by Fabio Masi and Niki Frantzeskaki, from 12:30-12:45 pm, a presentation was given by Dott.ssa Liviana Sciuto. This report, titled “Performance evaluation of HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS models to locate Nature-Based Solutions in a Sicilian hydrological river basin”, was developed in collaboration with experts from various fields, including faculty members from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Environment such as Prof. Giuseppe Luigi Cirelli and Prof.ssa Feliciana Licciardello, along with Dott. Marzio Melis, Dott.ssa Angela Ingenio, and Dott. Manuel Sapiano from the Energy & Water Agency of Malta.

The focus of the presentation was on analyzing the performance of HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS models in identifying Nature-Based Solutions in a Sicilian hydrological basin, specifically the Lavinaio stream located near Aci Catena (Catania, Sicily). The aim of the study is to develop green infrastructures capable of reducing flood risks in urban and peri-urban areas and improving the quality of rainwater. In her speech, Dott.ssa Liviana Sciuto highlighted the challenges posed by traditional drainage systems and emphasized the importance of adopting a “SPONGE CITY” approach to rainwater management, taking into account the increase in precipitation due to climate change and increasing urbanization.

The research presented is part of the GIFLUID project, dedicated to studying innovative strategies and solutions for water management and the reduction of hydrogeological risk, with particular interest in “Nature-Based Solutions” (NBS) and green infrastructures.