AsHISH SHRESTHA

CURRENT RESEARCH

Since (August) Fall 2018 to (May) Spring 2022, I was a graduate research assistant working with Prof. Margaret Garcia at Arizona State University. I worked on advancing urban hydrology particularly improving urban flood modeling and prediction, by developing efficient calibration techniques, stormwater infrastructure data processing, application of novel data sources like citizen science. I also worked on adaptation of city's stormwater infrastructure to future uncertanties related to climate change and land use change using green infrastructure planning.

PAST RESEARCH

From Jan 2018 till July 2018, I have worked as a research associate with Prof. Mukand S Babel at Water Engineering and Management, AIT. I worked on climate change impact on sand and dust storms, green infrastructures, hydrological droughts and rainfall modelling.

From Aug 2013 till Dec 2017, I have worked as a research associate with Prof. Shobhakar Dhakal at Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change, AIT, in research projects on water-energy-carbon nexus in Asian Cities; climate compatible urban development; decentralized energy interventions in Asian countries and urban climate resilience. 

Project I: Understanding and Quantifying the Water-Energy-Carbon Nexus for Low Carbon Development in Asian Cities 

My research involves developing conceptual framework for water-energy-carbon (WEC) nexus in cities and conducting case studies of urban water system related WEC nexus particularly in four Asian cities, Bangkok, Tokyo, New Delhi and Kathmandu. The research focuses on understanding the drivers that influence WEC nexus; quantify water, energy and carbon footprints of every elements of urban water systems, including water abstraction, conveyance, treatment, distribution and waste water collection, treatment and disposal; and finally research focuses on identifying policies to optimize WEC Nexus at city scales. Under Prof. Shobhakar Dhakal’s supervision, I coordinated the project and research activities between our collaborative research partners at Hiroshima University, Japan and TERI University, India.

Further details and outcomes of the project can be found in project website and APN’s website.

Project II: Foundations for climate resilient and sustainable growing settlements (U-RES)

I worked with Prof. Shobhakar Dhakal in identifying twelve key principles for urban climate resilience and sustainable urbanization, building upon the synthesis of knowledge presented in IPCC’s 5th assessment mainly from WGII Chapter 8 ‘Urban Areas’ and WGIII Chapter 12 ‘Human Settlements, Infrastructure and Spatial Planning’. The research covers review on key underlying urban components in built, natural, social environments and decisions that influence urban systems’ forms and growth.

Project III: Climate Compatible Development in Asian and Pacific Cities

I worked with Prof. Shobhakar Dhakal in developing overarching framework for climate compatible development in cities, that includes indicators and tracking framework on cities’ climate actions, which also included reviewing climate actions in five Asia-Pacific cities. Many cities are embarking on climate actions with a number of various policies and plans in recent years, however, without clear quantifiable city wide targets. The research contributes in the direction of developing framework and indicators for benchmarking progress in climate actions, with the aim to help cities transition to climate compatible cities.

Further details and outcomes of the project can be found in project website.

Project IV: Understanding decentralized energy interventions and their success conditions in select countries of Asia – Pacific

I worked with Prof. Shobhakar Dhakal conducting case study in Thailand to review the state of renewable energy policies, current policies interventions and achievements. The research focus on policies to maximize decentralize energy utilization with the aim to expand renewable energy and reduce fossil fuel related GHG emissions. 

Further details and outcomes of the project can be found in project website.

PAST GRADUATE RESEARCH (Dual degree M.Eng./M.Sc.)

My graduate (M.Eng.) thesis (22 credit) was supervised by Dr. Sutat Weesakul (chair) at AIT. My research was on modeling climate change impacts on urban drainage performance and pluvial floods by developing future IDF curves of short durations and simulating future flooding scenarios under climate change. My study area was in Sukhumvit, Bangkok. I developed present and future IDF curves for up-to 1 hour duration with the method of spatial downscaling and temporal disaggregation, using outputs from 9 Global Climate Models and disaggregating daily rainfall data using Hyetos tool. I developed 1D-2D coupled urban drainage model in Mike Urban and Mike Flood tools and simulated present and future scenarios to analyse flood depth, velocity and urban flood hazards.

I also carried a research on modelling climate change impacts on urban drainage in peri-urban area of one of the city of Thailand, in one of my 2 credit coursework. My research was supervised by Prof. Kim Irvine (NTU, SIngapore). I used PCSWMM to model hydraulic performance of drainage system and localized flooding during increased precipitation associated with climate change. 

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

My undergraduate (B.Tech.) thesis (6 credit) was supervised by Prof. Ramesh K Maskey at Kathmandu University. I studied hydro-potential of river tributaries in a catchment of small village of Nepal, to generate hydro-electric energy. The research include identification of feasible sites for designing micro-hydropower plants, surveying electricity demands, designing civil and hydraulic components of every elements of micro-hydropower project and integrating social and human dimensions in decentralized water resources management.