Date
11th June 11:40-12:40

Aims
Dynamic interaction among experts in climate change and Earth informations and users of satellite services. On the basis of the experiences presented, experts and users will have the opportunity to discuss the prerequisites for the take-up of Earth informations and satellite services and the benefits resulting from their application to tackling climate change in Mediterranean cities. Public authorities, service providers, and academics will evaluate the transferability of their peers’ experiences and highlight challenges for users in accessing innovative technologies.

Moderator

Alexia Massacand, GEO Secretariat

Alexia Massacand GEO Secretariat Dr Massacand is managing the strategy and implementation framework of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). Her background is a combination of atmospheric physics (PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich) and world economy (MSc from the London School of Economics, LSE). She first joined the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) in 2005 building on her experience in global environmental change projects. Related key operational and research institutions include the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the UK University of East Anglia (UEA), and Canadian McGill University. close [x]

Speakers

Stefaan De Mey, Eurisy

Stefaan De Mey Eurisy Of Belgian nationality, Stefaan De Mey was awarded a Civil Engineering degree from Ghent University, Belgium, in 1997. He obtained in addition a Master degree in Biomedical and Clinical Engineering (1999), a PhD in Applied Sciences (2001) and a Bachelor degree in Law (2010). Dr. De Mey started his professional career in 1997 conducting multidisciplinary research in the field of cardiovascular fluid dynamics and the non-invasive diagnosis of diastolic heart failure using ultrasound. His research project has been supported by a grant from the Flemish Institute for the Promotion of Science and Technology (IWT) and conducted in close cooperation with the Department of Cardiology of the Ghent University Hospital, Belgium, and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, Ohio, USA. In 2001 he joined ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, The Netherlands, working on various assignments including the development of medical instrumentation for research in microgravity, the end-to-end system engineering management of the EXPERT re-entry vehicle and launcher services, and the procurement of an observatory to be placed on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS) aiming at measuring high altitude lightning. From 2008 he provided the integration management function of the ESA payloads and experiments selected for the International Space Station (ISS) vis-à-vis Users, User Support Operation Centres, Payload Developers, Implementation Organisations and ISS International Partners. Since October 2011 he is heading as secretary general the permanent secretariat of Eurisy, an international association of governmental space offices and space agencies, international organisations, research institutions, and private businesses involved or interested in space-related activities. Eurisy’s mission is to facilitate the access of professional communities to satellite information and services thus helping to ensure that society fully benefits from European investments in space, notably in programmes such as Galileo and Copernicus, and in satellite telecommunications. close [x]

Xavier Amat, Beaches Department for the City of Barcelona

Barbara Norman, University of Canberra

Barbara Norman University of Canberra Dr. Norman is Professor in the Faculty of Business, Government and Law, University of Canberra, Foundation Chair of Urban and Regional Planning. Dr. Norman is Director of Canberra Urban and Regional Futures (CURF) and an Adjunct Professor with The Australian National University. Barbara is Chair of the ACT Climate Change Council, Deputy Chair of Regional Development Australia (ACT) and a member of the national stakeholder advisory group to the CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship. She is a Life Fellow and past national president of the Planning Institute of Australia and Life Honorary Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute (UK). Her research and teaching interests include urban and regional planning, sustainable coastal planning, climate change adaptation and urban governance. Dr. Norman was Chief Investigator of the recent report South East Coastal Adaptation (SECA): Coastal urban climate futures in SE Australia from Wollongong to Lakes Entrance. She is a contributing author to the forthcoming IPCC report on Impacts (March 2014). Dr. Norman has extensive experience in the public sector at all levels of government including senior executive roles in the ACT Government. Professor Norman advises the public and private sector in Australia and has strong international linkages within Asia, Europe and the United States. She was awarded an Australian Centenary Medal for her contribution to the community through urban and regional planning. close [x]

Petros Patias, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Petros Patias Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Petros Patias is a Professor, Director of Laboratory of Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing and ex-chairman at the School of Rural and Surveying Engineering (2003-2007), The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), board member of the Department of Urban Planning, AUTH (2004-2012) and Vice Rector at the University of Western Macedonia (2010-), Greece. Eng. (1981) The Aristotle University, ΜSc (1985) and PhD (1987) both from the Dept. of Geodetic Science and Surveying, Τhe Οhio State University, USΑ. Chairman of various ISPRS (International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) WGs from 1992 onwards, ISPRS Commission V President (2000-2004), CIPA (international Committee for Architectural Photogrammetry) President (2003-2007) and Honorary President (2013-for life), ISPRS Financial Commission Chairman (2004-2008), President of the Hellenic Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (1992-1996). Visiting Professor at various European universities (TU Delft, ETH Zurich, Universidad del País Vasco). Editor-in-chief of the “South-Eastern European Journal of Earth Observation and Geomatics” e-Journal (http://ejournals.lib.auth.gr/seejeog), Scientific reviewer to 32 Journals, Scientific Responsible, Principal Researcher or member of Research Group to a total of 72 Research Projects funded by European or National Organizations. His published work includes 6 books, 8 chapters in international books and 185 papers in journals and proceedings. close [x]

Paolo Ruti, ENEA Research Agency

Paolo Ruti ENEA Research Agency Paolo Michele Ruti was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1967. He received its degree in Physics at the University of Bologna in 1992 and its Ph.D in Geophysics at the University of Torino in 1995. His research interests includes large-scale variability of the atmospheric flow and regional climate variability and change. He was involved in many European projects on climate change prediction (RACCS, 1993-1995) and African Monsoon analysis (AMMA, 2005-2010). He is now head of the laboratory on Climate Modeling and Impacts at ENEA research agency, Italy, and he is coordinating a EU project on Climate Services over the Mediterranean region (CLIMRUN). He published more than 50 papers and book chapters. close [x]

Structure
- Roundtable introduction, structure, objectives and introduction of panel members, Alexia Massacand, Geo Secretariat (10 min)
- Discussion between the panelists and questions from the audience (40 min)
- Wrap-up of the roundtable, Alexia Massacand, Geo Secretariat (5 min)

Questions to be answered through the roundtable
Role of Earth information in adapting to climate change
- What is the current situation of EO on climate change issues?
- Is EO operationally and commonly used in Mediterranean cities? If yes, how? If not, why and how to tackle the obstacles?
- What is the concrete impact of EO-based services in adapting to climate change in urban areas?

Transferability of the case studies presented to other Mediterranean cities
- Which elements of the good practices presented could be useful for other Mediterranean cities?
- How could they be adapted to the specific features of the region?
- Which are the preconditions for the take-up of the satellite services presented?
- Which are the challenges to overcome?
- Which are the barriers to the adoption of Earth information services for cities?

Funding and support opportunities available for public authorities
- What is the cost (both in terms of money and human resources) to implement some or part of the solutions proposed?
- What are the funding and supporting mechanisms available to integrate satellite services in the existing climate change adaptation strategies?
- What are the possible synergies that could facilitate the take-up of satellite services in Mediterranean cities (e.g. with other public and international entities)?