Michael Zhao

Michael Zhao is an Associate and the China Water Business Leader at Arup, bringing more than 27 years of experience in water design and management across the full water cycle - including flood protection, water supply, drainage, and sewerage systems - spanning the US, UK, mainland China, and Hong Kong.

He plays an active role in climate change and water environmental research both in China and internationally, delivering sustainable, functional, and environmentally responsible infrastructure solutions. His work includes developing the climate-resilient framework for Ningbo, assessing the climate resilience of water infrastructure in Wuhan, delivering the Shanghai climate-change rainfall impact study, and risk-assessment and climate-adaptation tool for the Yangtze River Delta.

Michael also collaborates closely with Arup teams in London, San Francisco, and New York on watershed restoration and sustainable blue-green infrastructure design. Notable projects include the water-engineering plan for the Xiong’an Boot Area, Shanghai’s urban drainage masterplan, the Upper Qinhuai River watershed restoration masterplan, storm-runoff management for the Yongding River area in Beijing, and infrastructure masterplanning for Chengdu’s new airport city.

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