DRF Lunchtime Clinic - Professor Ling Ma

The DRF Lunchtime Clinic delights to welcome Professor Ling Ma, Professor of Smart Cities at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, who will join us to talk about Data-Driven Approaches to Enhancing Urban Infrastructure Resilience.

Abstract:
This presentation introduces a transformative approach to urban infrastructure management, advocating for data-driven decision-making over traditional reactive strategies. It highlights key failures in existing models, including reliance on subjective experience, data silos, and reactive management. Addressing urgent challenges such as traffic congestion and environmental impact, it proposes a systematic shift to leverage advanced data insights. Through case studies in road planning and tunnel construction, it demonstrates how comprehensive data metrics can optimize design and maintenance. This research emphasizes the transition from intuition-based to evidence-based practices, reinforcing the role of data in creating sustainable and resilient urban environments while enhancing safety and performance.
Bio:
Ling Ma is a Professor of Smart Cities at Huazhong University of Science and Technology and former Associate Professor at University College London. He serves as the Director of the Sino-UK Joint Laboratory for Smart Cities, awarded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. His research specializes in digital twins of urban systems. Professor Ma has secured a total of 50 million RMB (approximately £5.7 million) in funding.