Exploring Spatial Planning Tools for Water Smart Cities in India
Indian cities are on the fore front of human-induced effects of climate change. Natural disasters are four times more likely to affect Indian cities than any other countries in Asia, as indicated in the 6th assessment report of IPCC. The changes resulting from global climate change and surging population growth in Indian cities may pose formidable challenge in ensuring clean water and sanitation, public health, and livelihood among the other issues.
AMRUT 2.0 launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister on 1 October 2021, with a total outlay of INR 3.0 lakh crores to extend the basic services to every household. The Mission envisages providing water tap connections to households in all statutory towns through 2.68 crore new household tap connections and providing universal household coverage of sewerage/septage services. One of the main goals of AMRUT 2.0 is to make Indian cities Aatma Nirbhar and 'Water Smart and Secure' through preparation of City Water Balance Plan and City water action plans.
Since the harvesting and availability of water resources are greatly dependent on the quality of the catchment characteristics, to become “water smart and secure”, these cities will have to explore appropriate spatial planning tools for ensuring the overall character of urban catchment/watersheds. This DRP is positioned in this emerging question of how appropriate spatial planning tools can be engaged for water smartness in Indian cities.
