Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Urban Environmental Geosciences

Image VUB & Urban Environmental Geosciences

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05/01/2012

Kevin

Kevin

Welcome

The research group GEOL (Isotope Geology and Evolution of the Paleoenvironments) has acquired a strong international reputation in the use of geochemical and isotopic tracers and their applications in a wide range of Earth Sciences questions, from large-scale planetary processes to the current Global Change problematic.

Recently, a new research program has been developed in the field of Urban Environmental Geosciences, with the city of Brussels as a first case study. This project demonstrates that geology forms an essential part of the environmental context of a city, and that geological knowledge can be used to address urbanization problems in the context of sustainable development. The research focuses mainly on water and the understanding of complex urban-water fluxes (rainwater, urban rivers, groundwater, sewer networks...). It provides answers to key questions in environmental management for the public and the private sectors.

The approach focuses on in-depth knowledge of the geology, stratigraphy, hydrogeology, and geomorphology at regional and local scales, completed by the acquisition and/or compilation of data on the physical environment (drillings, piezometric levels, water supply & sewer systems, gutters, ancient river beds, porosity/permeability of underground layers, water-geochemistry etc.). Collaboration with colleagues specialized in the study of the historical records of water in the city and with architects experienced in water compensation techniques leads to an interdisciplinary vision and the development of global long-term solutions.