Dr. Blal Adem Esmail | Sustainable participatory urban planning | Best Researcher Award

GLOMOS Center for Global Mountain Safeguard Research, Eurac Research | Italy

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Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Dr. Blal ADEM ESMAIL’s academic journey is deeply rooted in a passion for civil engineering, environmental planning, and sustainable development. His educational path began at the University of Trento, Italy, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering between 2001 and 2009. Building upon this foundation, Dr. Esmail pursued a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at the University of Trento from 2013 to 2016. His doctoral research focused on the integration of ecosystem services in watershed management and planning, supervised by Prof. Davide Geneletti. The insights from his Ph.D. thesis have been instrumental in shaping his subsequent work in sustainable urban planning and ecosystem services.

Professional Endeavors and Career Milestones 💼

Dr. Esmail’s professional trajectory highlights significant milestones that underscore his expertise in environmental engineering and urban planning. He is currently a Senior Researcher at the GLOMOS Centre for Global Mountain Safeguard Research, Eurac Research, in Bolzano, Italy, where he continues to contribute to cutting-edge research on ecosystem services and urban sustainability. His previous roles, including a Postdoc Researcher at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany, and research scientist positions at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden, have further refined his skills in spatial planning and environmental analysis. Additionally, his early experiences as a field engineer and technical manager honed his practical skills in engineering and project management.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Esmail’s research contributions have had a profound impact on the intersection of urban development and environmental sustainability. His work primarily focuses on nature-based solutions (NBS) for urban planning, with a particular emphasis on integrating green and blue infrastructures to enhance biodiversity, water security, and ecosystem resilience in cities. He has contributed to the development of innovative frameworks for watershed management and planning, aiming to address the challenges posed by climate change, urbanization, and biodiversity loss. His research has also explored the role of cities as both threats to and opportunities for biodiversity conservation, aligning with his broader vision of fostering sustainable urban ecosystems.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Dr. Esmail’s research and professional endeavors have had a significant influence on the field of urban sustainability and environmental engineering. His work has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the Seal of Excellence from the European Commission for his Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions research proposals. He has been pivotal in advancing nature-based solutions (NBS) for water security in cities, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa. His collaborative efforts with international research teams and policy-makers have contributed to a deeper understanding of how cities can serve as catalysts for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

Academic Cites and Recognition 📚

Dr. Esmail’s scholarly impact is evident in his wide-ranging publications and citations across various academic platforms. With over 496 citations on Web of Science, 610 on Scopus, and 1193 on Google Scholar, his work is highly regarded in the academic community. His research outputs include 18 peer-reviewed articles, 4 books, and 29 conference contributions, showcasing his extensive contributions to environmental engineering, urban planning, and ecosystem services. His h-index of 9 on Web of Science and 10 on Scopus reflects his sustained influence in these fields.

Technical Skills and Expertise 🔧

Dr. Esmail’s technical expertise spans a variety of areas, including environmental engineering, spatial planning, ecosystem services, and urban water security. He is proficient in the use of various technical tools and methodologies for assessing and planning green and blue infrastructures, as well as integrating nature-based solutions into urban landscapes. His ability to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical application has made him a valuable asset in collaborative projects aimed at achieving sustainability in urban settings. Additionally, his multilingual proficiency in Italian, English, Tigrigna, Arabic, Amharic, and German further enhances his ability to engage in international research collaborations.

Teaching Experience and Mentorship 👨‍🏫

Throughout his academic and professional career, Dr. Esmail has actively contributed to the academic community not only as a researcher but also as a mentor and educator. He has been involved in teaching and supervising students in the fields of environmental engineering, urban planning, and sustainable development. His commitment to fostering the next generation of researchers is reflected in his teaching roles and the supervision of several Ph.D. and Master’s students. Dr. Esmail’s ability to communicate complex concepts in a relatable manner has made him a sought-after mentor for young professionals and students in his field.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌱

Dr. Esmail’s legacy is defined by his innovative approach to urban sustainability and his vision of cities as vital hubs for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. Looking ahead, his future contributions are poised to shape the next generation of sustainable urban planning strategies. Through his work on nature-based solutions and ecosystem services, he aims to influence policy and planning frameworks at the global level, with particular emphasis on cities in developing regions. His research will continue to focus on developing actionable, cost-effective solutions that promote the coexistence of urban development and environmental preservation.

Prizes, Awards, and Scholarships 🏆

Dr. Esmail’s accomplishments have been widely recognized through numerous awards and scholarships. He has received multiple Seal of Excellence awards from the European Commission for his innovative research proposals related to nature-based solutions and water security. Other notable awards include the Eng. Luciano Silveri Award for the best PhD thesis in engineering, the Ito Del Favero Award for his M.Sc. thesis, and the Ecosystem Services in Practice Award. His academic excellence has also been supported by various scholarships, such as the PhD scholarship from the University of Trento and the Erasmus Placement scholarship.

Professional Affiliations and Memberships 🌐

Dr. Esmail is a committed member of several prestigious professional organizations, including the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) and the International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE). His role in these organizations involves contributing to the development of sectorial working groups and engaging in discussions about the future of landscape planning and ecosystem services in urban contexts. His long-standing membership in the Chartered Engineers Association further underscores his dedication to advancing the field of civil and environmental engineering.

Conclusion 🌟

Dr. Blal ADEM ESMAIL’s career has been defined by his commitment to environmental sustainability, his academic rigor, and his collaborative approach to addressing global urban challenges. Through his research, technical expertise, and teaching contributions, he has made a lasting impact on the fields of environmental engineering, urban planning, and ecosystem services. As he continues to lead pioneering research in nature-based solutions, his work will undoubtedly shape the future of sustainable cities and the integration of nature into urban planning.

Top Notes Publications 📚

Title: Mapping and Analyzing Ecosystem Services Hotspots and Coldspots for Sustainable Spatial Planning in the Greater Asmara Area, Eritrea

Authors: Esmail, Blal Adem; Cortinovis, Chiara; Geneletti, Davide; Inostroza, Luis; Peters, Riccardo; Romelli, Claudia; Schulze, Isabel; Tecle-Misghina, Belula; Teklemariam, Medhane; Wang, Jingxia et al.
Journal: Environmental Management
Year: 2025
DOI: 10.1007/S00267-024-02078-X

Title: Planning for transformative change with nature-based solutions: A geodesign application in Stockholm

Authors: Esmail, Blal Adem; Cortinovis, Chiara; Bast, Sigvard; Anderson, Carl C.; Suleiman, Lina; Arciniegas, Gustavo; Geneletti, Davide; Mortberg, Ulla; Albert, Christian
Journal: Landscape and Urban Planning
Year: 2025
DOI: 10.1016/J.LANDURBPLAN.2025.105303

Title: Boxes of rain: A systematic review on the classes and frameworks of ecosystem disservices

Authors: Carl Cyrus Anderson; Andreas Metzemacher; Blal Adem Esmail
Journal: Ambio
Year: 2025
DOI: 10.1007/s13280-025-02157-1

Title: Geodesign to advance boundary work in urban planning: A study in Stockholm focused on nature-based solutions

Authors: Blal Adem Esmail; Cyrus Carl Anderson; Sigvard Bast; Chiara Cortinovis; Lina Suleiman; Jarumi Kato-Huerta; Johan Högström; Berit Balfors; Gustavo Arciniegas; Davide Geneletti et al.
Journal: Ambio
Year: 2025
DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02083-8

Title: A systematic review of urban ecosystem disservice classification systems and frameworks

Authors: Anderson Carl C; Metzemacher A; Adem Esmail B
Event: 5th ESP Europe Conference – Ecosystem Services: One Planet, One Health; Wageningen
Year: 2024 (Conference)
Other-ID: 5c00625f-db3f-46f8-8ace-3116e4252e99