PROF. LEE-HYUNG KIM FROM KONGJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, SOUTH KOREA VISITED DLSU

Prof. Lee-Hyung Kim, Director of BK21 Plus LID/GSI Research Center from Kongju National University (KNU) in South Korea was invited as Distinguished Visiting Professor at De La Salle University (DLSU) from July 25 to 31, 2018.

Hosted by the DLSU Civil Engineering Department, he was welcomed by the faculty members and staff on his first day of visit at DLSU on July 25, 2018. Prof. Kim was introduced to faculty members with their respective research interests and disciplines. On the next day, Prof. Kim provided a special lecture on the “Ecological footprints of LID and GI” for the DLSU Civil Engineering graduate students. In his lecture, Prof. Kim highlighted the effects of urbanization and climate changes, nature-based solutions for water-related problems, functions of low impact development (LID) and ecological LID design procedures. He also shared the research he is doing with his research team and the grants he is receiving from the private companies and South Korean government.

Prof. Kim delivers his special lecture to DLSU Civil Engineering graduate students taking seminar course on Sustainable Infrastructure and the Environment.

A Symposium on Low Impact Development for Sustainable Cities of the Future: Bridging the Gap between South Korea and the Philippines was held on July 27, 2018 at the Natividad Fajardo Auditorium in Bro. Andrew Gonzales FSC Hall organized by the DLSU URCO RPW on Building Resilient Cities & Communities with the Civil Engineering Department HWR Division and supported by the Civil Engineering Society (CES). The program included two sessions and a panel discussion. The first session covered research presentations from South Korea. The first presentation was provided by Dr. Marla M. Redillas, Associate Professor and Head of the Hydraulics and Water Resources (HWR) Division of DLSU Civil Engineering Department. She presented about “Low Impact Development for Environmental Sustainability”. For the second presentation, Prof Kim shared his expertise on the “Policies and Implementation of Best Practices for Sustainable Cities of the Future: South Korean Perspective”. The second session highlighted research presentations from DLSU BSCE students from the HWR Division. The studies include rainfall-runoff analysis for designing LID to mitigate flooding in urban areas, LID simulation for the reduction of urban stormwater runoff in San Juan City, investigation on the applicability of infiltration type LID in SJWQMA, and LID project initiative at DLSU-Manila.

The symposium ended through a panel discussion chaired by Dr. Mario de Leon, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of the DLSU Civil Engineering Department. The panel members include Dr. Renan Ma. R. Tanhueco from HWR Division, Mr. Myklim Casibang from DLSU Campus Sustainability Office (CSO) and Engr. Franz Kevin Geronimo from KNU LID/GSI Research Center also shared their expertise on LID and it’s possible application in the Philippines in general. The symposium was attended by around 150 undergraduate students from different universities in Metro Manila. The day ended with a networking dinner hosted by the Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research (CESDR) and participated by DLSU administrators, faculty members and staff.

Speakers and panelists of the LID Symposium organized by DLSU URCO RPW on Building Resilient Cities & Communities with HWR Division

Poster of the LID Symposium

Prof. Kim thanking the administrators, faculty members and staff of DLSU for welcoming him in his short visit as a Distinguished Professor during the dinner hosted by CESDR.

Over the weekend, Prof. Kim had a chance to visit historical sights such as Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, Manila Cathedral and Intramuros during a cultural tour arranged for him around Metro Manila. During this tour, Prof. Kim was able to learn briefly about the Philippine history and culture.

Technical site visit at DLSU STC Campus in Laguna