5th International Conference on Water and Flood Management

( Special Focus on Delta Research )

6-8 March 2015
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Deadlines

31 July 2014 Deadline for abstract submission
15 August 2014 Notification of abstract acceptance
30 November 2014 Deadline for full paper submission
31 December 2014 Notification of full paper acceptance
31 January 2015 Deadline for registration
6-8 March 2015 Conference
Background

The International Conference on Water and Flood Management is being organized by the Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) of BUET biennially since 2007. The conference aims at addressing complex issues of water and flood management that plays a key role in economic growth, social development and environmental health. The focus of the upcoming event would be research for better management of deltaic systems in a changing climate scenario where the deltas are undergoing rapid changes unforeseen in human history.’

A number of things have changed ever since the launch of ICWFM back in 2007. The need for concerted effort to identify appropriate water policies, strategies and management practices to achieve sustainable solutions to water and flood management problems has gained considerable momentum in institutional level albeit with occasional setbacks. Climate change and its impacts have become even more evident than before with the very existence of Bangladesh and other low lying deltas of the world threatened.

Bangladesh has taken a timely initiative to formulate the ‘Delta Plan-2100’ which looks into long term planning of interventions for the sustainable management of the water resources in this deltaic country. Increasing number of research for sustainable management of deltas are being pursued in different parts of the world. In order for any long term plan to be effective a concerted effort is needed from the research communities, planners and policy makers to set up an updated knowledgebase on the different processes, set realistic goals, identify challenges and obstacles, and devise strategies to attain desired goals. A number of collaborative research projects at IWFM and other relevant institutions have already started to address different research areas that would enhance our understanding of processes and management issues of a changing delta. The conference would work as a platform for different stakeholders to meet and exchange ideas, share their research findings and fine tune policies in accordance with updated knowledge.



Purpose

The purpose of the conference is to discuss the problems and issues and to advance knowledge on water and flood management in order to promote environmentally sustainable development. A special goal for the 5th ICWFM would be to invite presentations of recent research outcomes that would enhance the knowledge base on physical processes and better management of delta.

Towards this, the conference aims to bring academicians, researchers, professionals, decision makers and policy makers together for exchange of views and experiences on water and flood management with special emphasis on delta management. It will focus on integrated approach to address issues like increasing water use efficiency, improving water resources system performance, reducing vulnerability and developing resiliency against water related hazards, preserving environmental quality, protecting ecosystem, coping with climate variability, promoting participatory management, and ensuring equity and social justice in decision making process.

It seeks to bring forward research findings, case studies, success stories, recent advances in planning and design methodologies, and examples of improved water management policies, institutions, strategies and practices. A special plenary session for current research and actions on delta management would be held during the conference.

Themes

Catchment Processes, Ecosystems and Quality of Environment

Hydrological, morphological and mixing processes
Wetland, riverine mountain, floodplain and coastal ecosystems
Arsenic contamination of groundwater
Habitat requirements of fish species and aquatic plants
Hydro-ecological effects of water and land use
Landscape modification and flow regime changes
Water pollution and ecosystem degradation
Ecosystem services for livelihood and poverty alleviation
Flood Management

Socio-economic and environmental impacts of flood
Short and long term flood forecasting
Reduction of vulnerability to flood
Enhancement of resiliency to flood hazard
Risk transfer and equity issues
Integration of land use, flood management and ecosystem protection
River Basin Management

River hydraulics
River dredging, restoration and management
River bank protection
Conflicts and cooperation in water and flood management
Watershed, river and ecosystem maintenance
International water laws and treaties
Integrated river basin management

Urban Water Management

Urban stormwater and waste water management
Domestic water supply and equity in access to water
Wetland restoration and protection
Integration of urban land use planning and water management
Agricultural Water Management

Water conservation, water use efficiency and productivity
Virtual water trade
Reduction of vulnerability to drought and salinity
Integration with water needs of other sectors
Coastal Zone Management

Tidal river management
Management of freshwater flow and saline water intrusion
Storm surge and tsunami hazards and socio-economic impacts
Shore protection, port structure and navigation channel planning
Coastal ecosystem protection and biodiversity maintenance
Sea level rise and adaptation strategy
Integrated coastal zone management
Water Governance and National Development

Water policy and development goals
Developing resiliency against water related hazards
Demand management, water rights, conflict resolution and water allocation
Regulatory measures for environmental and livelihood security
Cross-sectoral integration, gender and stakeholder participation
Integrated water management, governance, capacity building and institution
Water Information Management

Information management system
Decision Support System
Linking system state indicators and decision support indicators
Application of artificial intelligence
Simulation of water resources systems
Remote sensing and GIS applications
Climate Change Impacts on Water Management

Meteorology and climatology
Climate change modeling and predictions
Application of climate change modeling on water management
Assessment of vulnerabilities and risks
Impacts of climate change in water sector
Socio-Economic implications of climate change
Mitigation and adaptation measures of changing climate
Dates and Venue

The conference will be held during 6-8 March, 2015 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The venue will be a local hotel/ convention center.

Official Language

The official language of the Conference is English.

Submission of Abstract

Abstracts of papers are welcome on themes outlined for the Conference. An individual can be the lead author for a maximum of two papers. Interested authors are requested to submit extended abstracts written in English. The abstract should contain at least 500 words. The abstract should include the title of the paper, name(s) of author(s), presenting author, affiliations including e-mail addresses, key words, theme and conclusions. Abstracts should be submitted by 31 July 2014 via e-mail in Microsoft Word format to the Conference Secretariat (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) along with the completed 'Intent of Participation' form. All abstracts will be reviewed. Instructions for final papers will be sent along with notification of acceptance of abstracts by 15 August 2014.

Attending Conference

Those who are only interested to attend the conference are also welcome. They are requested to complete the 'Intent of Participation' form and send it to the conference secretariat by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by 30 November 2014.

Technical Visit

A field visit will be arranged on the third day of the conference for a selected number of registered participants. The list of selected participants would be decided by the organizing committee of ICWFM-2015. The visit is to a large scale flood control and irrigation project and a town protection project located on the Lower Meghna, the combined outfall of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. The river cruise to the project site will cross the world's largest river confluence. Please visit conference website for further details.

Financial Support

A limited number of paper presenters from developing countries (including SAARC countries) will be partly supported by the Conference Secretariat. Only registration fee, accommodation, food and local transport during the conference will be provided. The airfare and all other expenses will have to be borne by the participants. The interested candidates are requested to fill in the 'Financial Support' form and send it to the Conference Secretariat by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) along with abstract by 31 July 2014.

Registration Fees

Non SAARC Countries U.S. $500
SAARC countries U.S. $150
Local participants Tk. 5000
Local participants (Students) Tk. 3000
Registration fee for participants covers registration materials, inaugural ceremony, tea/coffee and lunch during conference, conference proceedings, technical visit and closing dinner. Up to two authors can register for one paper. Registration details, hotel information, visa requirement etc. will be available in this web site soon. Please note that, the registration does not cover individual, medical and personal insurance.

Method of Payment

For participants from abroad

Payment can be made by Demand Draft, Money Transfer or Telegraphic Transfer for participants from abroad, All payment should be made in favor of: ICWFM-IWFM, Current Account No. 33011231, Sonali Bank, BUET Branch, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh (Swift Code: BSON BDDH LOD).

For local participants:

Payment can be made by Demand Draft or in cash for local participants and please send your demand draft to the conference secretariat. For cash payment, please deposit in person to conference secretariat. All payment should be made in favor of: ICWFM-IWFM, Current Account No. 33011231, Sonali Bank, BUET Branch, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.

Organizing Committee

Chairman
Prof. Abul Fazal M. Saleh, IWFM, BUET

Organizing Secretary
Dr. Mohammed Abed Hossain, IWFM, BUET

Members
Prof. Jahir Uddin Chowdhury, IWFM, BUET
Prof. Md. Razaur Rahman, IWFM, BUET
Prof. Anisul Haque, IWFM, BUET
Prof. Tarekul Islam, IWFM, BUET
Prof. Sujit Kumar Bala, IWFM, BUET
Prof. A. K. M. Saiful Islam, IWFM, BUET
Mr. Md. Shahidur Rahman, BWDB
Mr. Moshiur Rahman, LGED
Prof. M.R. Kabir, University of Asia Pacific

Technical Committee

Chairman
Prof. Abul Fazal M. Saleh, IWFM, BUET

Member Secretary
Dr. Mohammed Abed Hossain, IWFM, BUET

Members

Prof. M. Shah Alam Khan, IWFM, BUET
Prof. Md. Munsur Rahman, IWFM, BUET
Prof. Mashfiqus Salehin, IWFM, BUET
Prof. M. Shahjahan Mondal, IWFM, BUET
Prof. Mirjahan Miah, DWRE, BUET

Local Advisory Committee

Director General, Bangladesh Water Development Board
Director General, Water Resources Planning Organization
Chief Engineer, Local Government Engineering Department
Chief Engineer, Roads and Highways Department
Executive Director, CEGIS
Executive Director, Institute of Water Modelling
Director General, Department of Environment
Division Chief, AWRRID, Planning Commission
Director General, River Research Institute
Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies
Director General, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
Chief Engineer, Department of Public Health Engineering
Director, Bangladesh Meteorological Department

International Advisory Committee

Prof. Shamsul Alam, Planning Commission, Bangladesh
Prof. Eelco van Beek, Delft Hydraulics, The Netherlands
Prof. Hajime Nakagawa, Kyoto University, Japan
Prof. Nayan Sharma, IIT Roorkee, India
Prof. Nimal Gunawardena, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Prof. Peter P. Mollinga, SOAS, University of London, UK
Prof. Robert J. Nicholls, University of Southampton, UK
Dr. Saleemul Huq, International Institute for Environment and Development, UK
Prof. Shafiqul Islam, Tufts University, USA
Dr. Saleh A. Wasimi, Central Queensland University, Australia
Prof. Takashi Hosoda, Kyoto University, Japan
Prof. Efi Foufoula-Georgiou, University of Minnesota, USA

Correspondence

All correspondence concerning the conference should be sent to
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Conference Secretariat:
ICWFM-2015
Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM)
BUET, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Tel: 880-2-9665601
Fax: 880-2-8613046, 880-2-9665601 (Attention: ICWFM-2015)
Web: www.buet.ac.bd/iwfm/icwfm2015.php