Co-UDlabs - Building Collaborative Urban Drainage research labs communities

The main aim of CO-UDlabs is to integrate research and innovation activities in the field of Urban Drainage Systems (UDS) to provide opportunities for pervasive monitoring of water quality, UDS performance and smart and open data approaches. The project brings together 17 unique ‘field scale’ urban drainage experimental facilities, providing innovation, collaboration and high level training opportunities. The advanced Co-UDlabs facilities are run by experienced research groups with extensive industry networks and strong records of innovation. Co-UDlabs delivers Transnational Access to these facilities to enable the scientific community and industry innovators to develop and validate internationally leading innovations before safely deploying them in full-scale UDS. Co-UDlabs will also conduct interlinked Joint Research Activities to enable faster and wider uptake of innovation in traditional buried pipe systems and newer green-blue infrastructure, specifically focusing on increasing our understanding of asset deterioration and improving system resilience. In addition, Co-UDlabs will develop innovative smart monitoring technologies, digital water analysis tools and foster the innovation potential of human resources. Finally, Co-UDlabs will foster a culture of co-operation within the UDS community by conducting Networking Activities to attract diverse users, improve their data literacy and sharing of knowledge. Co-UDlabs is a Research and Innovation Action funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101008626.