WP4: Research capacity building and management
Objective and tasks
The WP will facilitate the interaction between the thematic WPs, the research capacity building in South partner institutions, the PhD studies in particular, and is responsible for the overall project management.
The tasks are:
- To facilitate and ensure research capacity building by facilitating knowledge exchange between innovation systems in Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, and Denmark
- To ensure that PhD programmes are carried out and successfully completed
- To strengthen ties between research institutions, city administration and case communities in Addis Ababa and Dar es Salaam (establishment, continuous meetings/activities in city stakeholder workshops and city working groups, coordination of inputs and facilitation at the case site event, coordinate and facilitate the development of city strategies and case site plans).
- To coordinate activities across cities and work packages though dialogue on progress and results, WP and city progress reporting and communication (yearly project conferences, master course development and incorporation in curricles at partner institutions etc.)
- To undertake research management by overseeing and communicating project progress and budget expenses to internal and external partners, therein reporting to the FFU (project management meetings, mid-term evaluation etc.)
Methods and scope
The WP is core responsible for the PhD study programmes. A total of six PhD students are enrolled, i.e. three in Addis Ababa and three in Dar es Salaam. The six PhD studies all take a starting point in urban stormwater management but works at different scales and bridges the WP themes in different ways. PhD1 and PhD4, as well as PhD2 and PhD5 do comparable studies in their respective cities whereas PhD3 and PhD6 explores different specific options for LSM. PhD1 and PhD 4 look into the spatial and structural aspects of LSM mainly at a city scale and combines the structural analysis and mapping of green space, flood risks and stormwater management with urban planning and institutional analysis in order to understand what LSM is and what it could be. The effects of land use change and urban spatial configuration on urban water supply and flood mitigation will be quantified (e.g. by using GIS tools).
PhD2 and PhD 4 do an inventory into the land use, tenure, water and food nexus. With an outset in the multiple uses and conflicting interests in formal and informal green areas the study links the challenges and potentials in utilizing water for food production with the barriers and possibilities from an institutional point of view. PhD3 and PhD6 investigate and test specific topics and options for the development of water resilient cities. The PhD3 will focus on eco-technological options for decentralized water quality control. PhD6 will focus on the design and alteration of urban landscapes and the terrain.
The PhD candidates will enrol at their home institution and spent 2 x 13 weeks at IGN for courses and supervision. In 2014 the PhDs will spend 13 weeks taking PhD courses at IGN. In 2016 the PhDs will spend 13 weeks in Denmark while writing up on their theses.