Rivers are not merely channels for water conveyance but function as dynamic corridors where the atmosphere, ecosystems, and human floodplains continuously interact. In specialized research on how these complex river processes shift within a rapidly changing global environment, EUC Professor Adeyemi Olusola’s works to integrate traditional field methods with advanced technologies, using remote sensing, fieldwork, and artificial intelligence to connect fine-scale, localized processes to large-scale regional patterns.
This systemic approach directly informs his research project, “Hidden Figures: Mapping Flood Exposure Inequities Across River Basins in Southern Ontario.” While climate change has accelerated the frequency and severity of environmental flooding, conventional flood management plans often rely on traditional modelling techniques that emphasize binary floodplain delineations and basic rainfall-runoff relationships. These standard methodologies frequently lack the spatial and social precision required to capture real-time flood dynamics, thereby obscuring the unequal distribution of flood risk across diverse populations. Olusola’s research addresses these gaps by establishing high-resolution flood risk maps for the Black Creek River Basin.
The primary objective of the project is to resolve flood exposure inequities by advancing geospatial technology with socioeconomic realities. Rather than relying solely on physical hydrological data, the framework integrates satellite observations and machine learning with direct community engagement. By training predictive machine learning algorithms on optical and radar (SAR) satellite data, the project models flood-prone areas with high spatial precision. Overlaying these technical outputs with socioeconomic and demographic indicators yields high-resolution vulnerability maps that expose hidden disparities and ensure marginalized communities are accurately accounted for in disaster response planning.
The project is supported by 91ɫ’s Black Research Seed Grant, further advancing the field of disaster preparedness by advocating for scientifically robust and socially inclusive flood management strategies. It transitions the discipline away from detached physical modelling and toward an equitable plan that recognizes community resilience alongside environmental hazard. By translating complex geospatial analysis and data science into actionable insights, Olusola’s project provides vulnerable populations and policymakers with the necessary tools to effectively anticipate, mitigate, and withstand future flood events.
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