In the heart of Mexico’s Nuevo León state, a groundbreaking study is reshaping how we understand and interact with urban river systems. Dr. M. Pérez Martínez, from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, has led a pioneering research effort that could significantly impact urban planning, infrastructure development, and even the energy sector.
The Santa Catarina River, flowing through the urban landscape of Nuevo León, has long been a vital waterway. However, its geomorphological evolution has been largely overlooked until now. Dr. Martínez and his team have employed cutting-edge technology to shed light on the river’s past and present, using high-resolution UAV-based LiDAR and photogrammetry to analyze six key areas along the river.
Their findings, published in the ‘ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences’ (Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences), reveal a complex interplay between natural processes and human intervention. “We’ve seen significant anthropogenic impacts,” Dr. Martínez explains, “including solid waste accumulation, hydraulic lining, and bridge construction, which have altered the morphology and visibility of several terraces.”
These terraces, or flat areas of land that border the river, tell a story of the river’s history. By identifying four distinct terraces (T0-T3), the team has uncovered evidence of different depositional phases and energy regimes. This information is crucial for understanding the river’s behavior and predicting future changes.
The study also highlights the impact of recent tropical cyclones, such as Fernando, Hanna, and Alberto, which have caused vegetation loss and terrace modification. This is particularly relevant for the energy sector, as understanding these changes can help in assessing risks and planning for infrastructure development.
The use of UAV-LiDAR technology has proven to be a game-changer. “This technology offers valuable tools for hydromorphological monitoring,” Dr. Martínez notes. “It’s a high-precision method that can be applied to other urban fluvial systems worldwide.”
The implications of this research are far-reaching. By providing a detailed topographic and lithological characterization of the Santa Catarina River, the study offers a blueprint for similar investigations elsewhere. It underscores the importance of integrating advanced technology into urban planning and infrastructure development, particularly in areas prone to natural disasters.
As cities continue to grow and climate change intensifies, understanding and managing urban river systems will become increasingly critical. Dr. Martínez’s work is a significant step in this direction, offering insights that could shape future developments in the field. It’s a reminder that even in our most developed cities, nature’s stories are still being written—and with the right tools, we can read them, learn from them, and plan accordingly.