Sustainable Urban Development > Projects
Completed Projects
Climate Adaptive Action plans to manage Heat Stress in Indian cities
The inter-disciplinary research aims to study the extreme heat events/ heat wave events and improving the management of heat stress risks in India by developing spatially differentiated and gender sensitive Heat Stress Action Plans (HSAPs) for Delhi, Bhubaneswar and Rajkot. HSAPs developed through the initiative will serve to support India’s medium term development planning especially in prioritizing and integrating adaptive resilience within the agenda of climate resilient smart cities.
The objective of the project is to spatially identify the vulnerability of populations and heat hot spots, and map the impacts of extreme heat events on the health, work productivity and livelihoods of vulnerable population, and recommending appropriate, innovative and affordable climate adaptation measures for improving health and livelihood resilience for the urban population, with consideration of the associated cost effectiveness as well as gender-based implications.
As a part of the project, climatological variations in summer months (March, April, May and June) in the three cities has been analysed using the parameters- Maximum Temperature (Tmax), Minimum Temperature (Tmin) and Relative Humidity. Land Surface Temperature (LST) maps and the ambient air temperature measured and analysed to developThermal Hotspot maps for the three cities, along with Identification of Ward- level vulnerabilityusing the comprehensive index, comprising of nine sectors – Sanitation, Water, Electricity, Health, Transportation, Housing, Cooking, Awareness and Heat symptoms.
Heat Stress Advisory for New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)has been prepared in collaboration with the medical services department of New Delhi Municipal Corporation and distributed among Medical Services Department of NDMC for further dissemination along with measures inscribed on prescription slips of NDMC hospitals. IRADe with active collaboration with Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has actively implemented the Heat Stress Action Plan (HSAP) in the city, with display of Hoardings at public places, LED Screen displays, distribution of Posters and Pamphlets in local languages and issuing early warnings across the city.
The project is being carried out along with the consortium members including; Rajkot Municipal Corporations, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Indian Institute of Public Health (Gandhinagar), Indian Institute of Public Health (Bhubaneswar), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and Odisha State Disaster Management Agency.
Supported by; International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Download Report:
- Heat Wave Action Plan-Delhi
- Heat Wave Action Plan- Bhubaneswar City
- Heat Wave Action Plan- Rajkot City
- Heat Stress Compendium – Heat Wave Incidences and Action Initiatives
- Impact of Heat Stress on Informal Sector Women Workers
- Medical Stakeholders Training Module
- Review of Heat Action Plans
- Vulnerability Assessment of Households in Delhi to Heat Stress
- Vulnerability Assessment of Households in Rajkot to Heat Stress
- Vulnerability Assessment of Households in Bhubaneswar to Heat Stress
Developing Disaster Resilient Action Plan through GIS & Prioritising actions for natural disaster risk reduction in urban areas of Shillong and Gangtok, MoEF&CC/NMHS
The project aims to develop Disaster Resilience Action Plansfor Shillong and Gangtok cities. The objectives of the project are to develop ward level maps at the scale of 1:4000 and to map the hazard/disaster wise vulnerable zones of the Shillong and Gangtok urban agglomerations, while identifying and mapping critical infrastructure at risk through ground surveys. This will assist in developing Disaster Resilience Action Planfor the identified cities and prioritize actions for disaster risk reduction through multi-stakeholder consultations involving citizens, government, public and private sector and will lead to capacity building of citizens, city, district and state authorities.
Along with the study of existing plans prepared for cities by State Disaster Management Authorities, Urban Local Bodies (CDPs, CDMPs,GIS maps), RapidVulnerability Assessment for Shillong and Gangtok cities were carried out. To assess the Impact of Urbanization on natural ecosystems, household surveys across 17 wards of Gangtok Municipal Corporation area and 26 wards of Shillong Municipal Board has been carried out. Satellite Imageries have been used to assess the impact of urbanization on natural ecosystem in last 30 years in Shillong. Urban Vulnerability Index has also been developed for Shillong city, assessing the climate vulnerability. Disaster resilience action plan for Gangtok and Shillong is also been developed.
Collaboration with Shillong Municipal Board, GangtokMunicipal Corporation and city level stakeholders are carried out by regular workshops, field visits and meeting.
Supported by: Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Govt. of India
Developing urban climate vulnerability index and assess the vulnerability of 5 selected cities using the vulnerability index
The project focused at developing an Urban Vulnerability Index that will help to identify and target climate vulnerable regions, sectors or populations, raise awareness, and contribute to a monitoring strategy and serve as a decision support system to the Government of India for devising adaptation and mitigation strategies for urban sector in India.
The objective of this project was to design framework, define sub-indices/indicators to assess urban climate vulnerability of the cities and bring forth the areas of adaptation which the cities should prioritize for improving its resilience and integrate it to their developmental initiatives.
The study has been carried out by reviewing the existing methodologies of Disaster Vulnerability Index Assessments, calculations, ranking & scoring along with the identification of the Indian cities based on the population, city location & ecosystem types (coastal region, hilly region & arid regions). The shortlisted cities are Delhi, Rajkot, Shillong, Bhopal, Vizag, Hyderabad, Jaipur& Bhubaneshwar. List of Indicators and sub-indicators has been developed considering the various aspects of climate change and urban climate vulnerability towards demography and critical infrastructure and governance at city level. Expert Meetings and Consultation were conducted to discuss and finalize ranking / scoring methodology, followed by Pilot survey and vulnerability assessment of cities.
Supported by; Ministry of Environment,Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Govt. of India
Sustainable and Disaster-Resilient Cities: Case Studies and Capacity Building of 10 JnNURM Cities
The objective of the study was to assess the state of disaster resilience of 10 selected cities, namely Dehradun, Srinagar (North India), Shillong, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar (East India), Pune, Ahmedabad, Bhopal (West India) and Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad (South India). Four regional workshops were also organized to get feedback from the city officials and stakeholders covering the different regions with active participation of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), parastatal bodies, researchers and urban planners of the respective cities.
The study revealed that the ULBs face a big challenge to keep pace with the need to increase infrastructure and service provision for citizens and simultaneously ensure inclusive growth for the urban poor. Through this study, IRADe has recommended an integrated approach for sustainable and disaster-resilient development in these cities. This will help the local governments as generally they have limited resources available to address development issues ranging from health, education, infrastructure and services, and often disaster risks do not emerge as clear priorities.
Supported by : Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India
Vulnerability of Coastal Cities on Rivers to Climate Change: Case Study of Surat
The main objective was to develop an integrated analytical framework for floods and disaster management strategy for urban areas in the background of a specific case study of the city of Surat. This is to assess the vulnerability of the city and its people to floods and to develop a procedure to incorporate climate change concern in the existing framework with a decision support system. It suggested adaptation actions that can make a city resilient to climate change induced vulnerability.
The objective of this study is to also assess the hydrological vulnerability of the people and the public infrastructure of Surat. The elements of infrastructure under consideration include buildings (schools, hospitals, slums, and industries) within and adjacent to the floodplains, roads, bridges, etc. An original systems approach is used in the study to gather and examine available data in order to develop an understanding of the relevant climatic effects and their interactions with infrastructure. For this, a hydrological model of the river is developed to assess the extent of inundation and water depths under various scenarios, which may arise due to climate change. An integrated hydraulic modelling system and spatial analysis software have been used in the study.
With information on the likely depth of flooding in different parts of the city, citizens and local administrators can take effective measures such as avoiding certain areas, building on stilts, providing shelters etc.
Supported by: Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India
Policy Brief on Emerging Mechanisms and Responses of Cities to Climate – ACCCRN
IRADe prepared a policy brief to explore various aspects influencing the vulnerability of the cities.
It highlights IRADe’s approach that similar climate events can produce very different levels of socioeconomic impact, depending not only on the location and timing of the occurrence, but also on the resources and agility of the societies to respond to climate impact.
The working paper was presented at the National Conference on Emerging Mechanisms and
Responses of Cities to Climate Change held in New Delhi on 10 December 2013.
Supported by: TARU Leading Edge Pvt. Ltd.
City Disaster Management Plans of Six Cities – Bhubaneswar, Gangtok, Shimla, Vijayawada, Madurai and Thiruvanthapuram
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) selected IRADe to review the City Disaster Management Plans (CDMP) of six cities with a view to assess the clarity, comprehensiveness, efficiency, appropriateness and dissemination of disaster management measures as part of City Disaster Management Plan.
This also includes the integration of climate risk management measures in the CDMP planning process and plan document. IRADe has made specific recommendations and presented strategies to each city administration on addressing the gaps established during the review process to update the existing CDMPs. These six cities have made progress in disaster risk management while making efforts to prepare city disaster management plan.
Supported by : United Nations Development Program
Working Paper on HIGS Framework for Climate-Resilient Urban Development
In order to put the methodology in the public domain IRADe prepared a working paper describing it to address hazards (H) through infrastructure-governance-socio-economic (HIGS) framework for Rapid Vulnerability Analysis (RVA) of cities. The working paper helps policy makers, urban planners, city administrators, experts, academicians, students and aid agencies to appreciate issues regarding urban climate vulnerability and helps them deal with climate related impact and formulate adaptation strategies.
Supported by: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK
Mainstreaming Climate Resilience in Urban Development: Policy Landscape for Urban Climate Resilience
IRADe reviewed the approach and work related to ACCCRN, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, from policy perspective and supported assessment of vulnerabilities due to disasters such as floods and droughts and developed climate resilience strategies for three cities, namely Gorakhpur, Surat and Indore. IRADe identified the opportunities to orient urban development programmes in order to promote city level climate resilience.
The lessons from these are brought to national level and the city governments are also apprised of the relevant opportunities offered by the central government. IRADe suggested that an integrated policy framework and co-ordinated decision making are needed at the national, state and city levels.
Supported by: Rockefeller Foundation under ACCCRN Project
Climate Resilient Urban Development: Vulnerability Profiles of 20 Indian Cities
The study developed climate vulnerability profiles for 20 JNNURM cities. This is to assess the climate change induced risk of the cities including various hazards such as cyclones, storms, floods and droughts in the context of climate change and infrastructure needed for resilience. This is also to understand city level vulnerability in terms of socio-economic dimensions and nature of actions needed. This will help in raising awareness at various levels.
A coherent set of urban resilience measures were assessed, which merged with the ongoing natural hazard risk reduction and urban renewal interventions, minimizing the impacts of climate change on the cities and their inhabitants. IRADe staff conducted secondary survey, primary surveys, assessment study and provided analytical support.
Supported by the Rockefeller Foundation under ACCCRN Project
The Time is Now: Sustainable and Climate- Resilient Urban Development (2010)
This report relates the direct impacts of climate change such as extreme temperatures and floods as well as the indirect impacts of climate change such as changes in global grain markets that lead to spikes in food prices. With a rapidly growing urban population, the future challenges for urban administrations will be huge.
Supported by: Department for International Development and The Rockefeller Foundation. Co-organized with the Institute for Social and Environmental Transition (ISET)
Preparation of Master Plan with Detailed Action Plan for Jodhpur under Solar Cities
Development Programme
The significance of this assignment was to ‘prepare a master plan’ with detailed action plan for various activities for the years 2009–10,2010–11 and 2011–12 during the 11th plan period for development of Jodhpur as solar city as per the specifications, guidelines and terms and conditions of MNRE.
The objective of the master plan was to set a goal of minimum 10 per cent reduction in projected total demand of conventional energy at the end of five years to be achieved through energy saving from energy efficiency measures and generation from renewable energy installations. The Solar city master plan was accepted by Jodhpur Municipal Corporation.
Supported by : Jodhpur Municipal Corporation and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
Centre of Excellence in the area of Urban Development on “Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation” (2009)
(A) Rapid Assessment of Vulnerabilities (RAV) to Climate Change of Indian Cities
RAV is accomplished for 14 key cities in India based on various indicators of vulnerability to climate change so as to strengthen the national policy framework. IRADe’s approach and methodological framework include developing an index to assess the vulnerability to climate change of Indian cities, generating baseline data pertaining to urban development in terms of socio-economic and infrastructure aspects in order to recommend adaptation strategies, which can help in formulating efficient urban policies and programmes.
(B) Addressing Climate Resilience for Cities of India: Case Studies of Surat and Haridwar
This includes a review of city development plan of two cities, namely Surat and Haridwar. The study analyzes the potential threats of climate change and adaptation options in urban planning. Based on this analysis, some policy actions for resilience and climate change adaptation were suggested, that could be implemented by the local urban/municipal bodies. IRADe also aims to link the work to City Development Plans (CDP) and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM)
Surat: Surat is an important commercial hub as well as one of the fastest growing cities of India. Surat is a highly flood prone city and also faces threats of sea level rise. Around 30 per cent population lives in slum without adequate infrastructure and public services. The study identified the areas of climate vulnerability and adaptations measures to be included into city development plans, and capacity of local bodies should be enhanced to ensure climate resilience.
Haridwar: The city of Haridwar, besides being a very important place of pilgrimage, is also a major destination for tourism and industries in the state of Uttarakhand. There are considerable number of migrants, tourists and pilgrims and rapid urbanization of the city. Climate change is likely to increase the intensity of the summer monsoon and lead to increased risks of flooding, water logging and landslides. IRADe’s study recommends quantifying the potential climate change impacts and adaptation options at the local level, to engage decision-makers from householders to the government, Urban local bodies (ULBs) and major corporations in and generate awareness of climate change.
Sponsored by : Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) , Government of India
Landfill Waste Management in Okhla, New Delhi
IRADe studied the gases emitted from the landfill site of Okhla, New Delhi and analysed whether the gases can be captured commercially as the landfill site emits methane. The assessment was done based on the information provided by the officials at Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Okhla landfill site and observations made during site visits. Feasibility of the land fill gas (LFG) supply as domestic fuel to the surrounding areas by using the existing network of the Okhla Sewage Treatment Plant was assessed. It was not found suitable in current conditions.
Supported by: United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Washington DC
Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (Gorakhpur, Surat and Indore)
IRADe offers support in developing climate resilience strategies in cities – Gorakhpur, Surat and Indore under the project Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN). This report identifies the opportunities to re-orient urban development programmes in order to address convergence points and to facilitate the development of city level climate resilience. The lessons from these are brought to national level and also appraise the city governments concerning opportunities offered by the Central Governments.
Sponsored by: The Institute for Social and Environmental Transition (ISET) Colorado and Rockefeller Foundation, New York