Mathematics for Optimal Design of Sustainable Infrastructures

The main objective of this work is to show how mathematics, particularly the combination of modelling, numerical simulation and optimization, is a useful tool in the design of sustainable infrastructures. To do it, we clarify what we understand by systems optimization and present three interesting environmental problems (related to sustainable infrastructures) we have studied in the last decade and that fit well in this framework: the design of a river fishway to help migratory fish to climb a dam, the design of an irrigation channel to minimize sedimentation and erosion, and the management of an urban road network with an environmental perspective. Finally, we briefly discuss on some conclusions which can be drawn of this work.