Living with Water: Field Lab Experience in Chiang Mai
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This post reflects on my participation in the Understanding Risk Field Lab 2019 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, exploring urban flooding challenges and innovative water management solutions.
The Understanding Risk Field Lab in Chiang Mai was an extraordinary opportunity to engage with urban water management challenges in one of Southeast Asia’s most culturally rich cities. As part of an international team of researchers and practitioners, I contributed to understanding how communities adapt to and live with water-related risks.
The Urban Water Challenge
Chiang Mai, nestled in the mountains of northern Thailand, faces complex water management challenges that mirror those found in cities worldwide. The city’s rapid urban growth, changing precipitation patterns, and traditional water management systems create a fascinating case study in urban resilience.
Our Research Focus
Working alongside Giuseppe Molinario, Sneha Malani, Sue Lim, and Pamela Cajilig, our team investigated:
- Urban flood patterns and their socio-economic impacts
- Community adaptation strategies for water-related risks
- Traditional vs. modern water management approaches
- Geospatial technologies for flood risk assessment
Methodological Approaches
Geospatial Analysis
Drawing on my background in remote sensing and GIS, I contributed to:
- Satellite imagery analysis for flood-prone area identification
- Land use mapping to understand urbanisation impacts on hydrology
- Risk assessment modelling combining physical and social vulnerability data
Field-Based Research
The field lab emphasised direct community engagement:
- Community interviews to understand local flood experiences
- Participatory mapping sessions with residents
- Traditional knowledge documentation of water management practices
- Infrastructure assessment of drainage and flood protection systems
Key Insights
Living with Water, Not Fighting It
One of the most profound insights was how many communities in Chiang Mai have developed sophisticated strategies for ‘living with water’ rather than simply trying to control it. This approach offers valuable lessons for cities worldwide grappling with increasing flood risks due to climate change.
Technology and Traditional Knowledge
The integration of modern geospatial technologies with traditional water management knowledge proved particularly powerful. Satellite imagery could identify flood patterns, but local knowledge provided crucial context about seasonal variations, historical changes, and community responses.
Community Resilience
The research highlighted the remarkable resilience of local communities, who have developed adaptive strategies over generations. These ranged from architectural adaptations (elevated houses, flood-resistant building materials) to social systems (community flood warning networks, mutual aid systems).
Collaborative Learning
International Perspectives
Working with researchers from different backgrounds and countries enriched our understanding of urban water challenges. Each team member brought unique perspectives and methodological approaches that strengthened our collective analysis.
Cross-Cultural Research
Conducting research in Thailand required sensitivity to cultural contexts and local ways of knowing. This experience reinforced the importance of participatory research approaches and community-centred methodologies.
Implications for My Research
This experience in Chiang Mai significantly influenced my subsequent research direction:
- Multi-scale analysis: Understanding how local experiences connect to regional and national patterns
- Community engagement: Integrating local knowledge with technical analysis
- Risk assessment: Developing comprehensive approaches that consider both physical and social dimensions
- International collaboration: Building networks for comparative research across different contexts
Broader Lessons
The Chiang Mai field lab demonstrated several key principles:
- Technology is most effective when combined with local knowledge
- Community-based adaptation strategies often outperform top-down solutions
- Urban water management requires interdisciplinary approaches
- International collaboration accelerates learning and innovation
Looking Forward
The insights from this field lab continue to influence my current research on ecosystem monitoring and environmental change. The participatory approaches and integration of technical and local knowledge systems remain central to my work in peatland research in Ireland.
Read more about the Field Lab experience on Medium
This field lab was generously supported by Facebook Inc. and The World Bank, enabling international early-career researchers to engage with pressing urban challenges in real-world contexts.