The Urban Ocean: The Interaction of Cities with Water

Description

This book introduces the new discipline of urban oceanography, providing a deeper understanding of the physics of the coastal ocean in an urban setting. The authors explore how the coastal ocean impacts with the humans who live, work and play along its shores; and in turn how human activities impact the health and dynamics of the coastal ocean. Fundamental topics covered include: the governing dynamical equations; tidal and circulation processes; variation of salinity and freshwater fluxes; watershed pollutants; observing systems; and climate change. Bridging the gaps between the fields of engineering, physical and social sciences, economics, and policy, this book is for anyone who wishes to learn about the physics, chemistry, and biology of coastal waters. It will support an introductory course on urban oceanography at the advanced undergraduate and graduate level, and will also prove invaluable as a reference text for researchers, professionals, coastal urban planners, and environmental engineers.

Alan F. Blumberg is an urban oceanographer who studies the interaction between cities and their offshore coastal waters. He is co-founder of Jupiter, a Silicon Valley startup company deeply committed to the practical application of the world's best hydroscience, weather prediction and climate modeling. The Princeton Ocean Model, developed by Blumberg and George Mellor, is utilized by scientists and institutions throughout the world. For fifteen years, he was George Meade Bond Professor of Ocean Engineering and Director of the Davidson Laboratory at Stevens Institute of Technology where he led several major studies to predict and assess storm flooding events. He is the recipient of the 2001 Karl Emil Hilgard Hydraulic Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the 2007 Denny Medal from the Institute of Marine Engineering. A Fellow of both the American Meteorological Society and the American Society of Civil Engineers, Dr Blumberg is the author of more than 150 journal articles. Because of his extensive research expertise, he is highly sought after by the media during unusual weather conditions. Michael S. Bruno is Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Hawaii, Manoa and a Visiting Professor in Mechanical Engineering at University College London. He is the author of more than 100 technical publications regarding coastal dynamics, ocean observation systems, and community resilience. He has served on numerous advisory committees, including Chairing the Marine Board of the National Academies. A Fulbright Scholar, Dr Bruno is also a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He received the Denny Medal from the Institute of Marine Engineering in 2007, the Young Investigator Award from the Office of Naval Research in 1991, and the Outstanding Service Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1988.

'Extremes are becoming more extreme in the most extreme places of our planet where too much water hits us hardest: on our coasts and along our rivers. These coastal areas increasingly urbanize, becoming more and more vulnerable to disasters, with stronger storms and rising sea levels. Blumberg and Bruno argue from their inspiring perspective of hope and belief in impactful human action that these urban hotspots along our coasts and rivers are our best opportunity for a resilient future. Here we can turn climate risks into real urban rewards. But this is only if - by design - we dare to face and better understand our climate challenges, value and manage the urban opportunities, and be radically inclusive in our approaches to produce the best solutions and increase the resilience of our urbanizing coastal regions. We'd better start now with putting their words into practice!' Henk W. J. Ovink, Special Envoy for International Water Affairs, the Netherlands 'The Urban Ocean by Blumberg and Bruno is simply amazing; it is a very large compendium of facts, problem descriptions and deductions concerning the near-shore ocean and inland waters close to where many of us live. Skillfully written, it should be a valuable and unique source for scientists, urban planners, environmental managers and the curious. The use of equations where appropriate will be helpful to some readers, but will not be intimidating to those less mathematically inclined.' George Mellor, Princeton University, New Jersey 'Over land, sea and air, we now live in an urban world. Our cities have become ecosystems of their own, and our deltas have changed colors, transforming from a natural green to an urban red. Our oceans - for centuries a trusted resource in our daily lives - have been impacted by urbanization as well. As we strive for a more sustainable future, oceans need and deserve our attention and respect to safeguard their viability for years to come. If not, our way of life will be threatened with consequences never before experienced or imagined. I commend the authors of this fantastic and unique book that helps show us how to respect the ocean, and better understand how we ensure a resilient and sustainable future.' Piet Dircke, Global Leader Water Management, ARCADIS 'This is a unique and daring book on a fascinating and important topic. The rivers, estuaries and coastal regions of our world have lots to offer. They have therefore become increasingly urbanized. Humans have become a geophysical and a geopolitical force. The concept of The Urban Ocean explores and explains the formulae that govern the physics of the ocean and brings people and their habitats fully into the equation. The book bravely links physics and engineering to social studies and behavioral science. Written from an action perspective, it pairs the complex dynamics of our contemporary urbanized deltas with a globally emerging notion and movement of resilience engineering.' Theo Toonen, Universiteit Twente, the Netherlands