Dr.T.V.Ramachandra

Co-ordinator, Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES - IISC), & Associate Faculty, Centre for Sustainable Technologies (astra), Centre for infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP)

Inclusive Urban Design: Trees and Water for All : Urban population in India is growing at rate of 2.3% per annum. Unplanned urbanization and urban sprawl in the metropolitan area have posed serious problems like lack of infrastructure  and basic amenities  (like  supply  of  treated  water, electricity,  sanitation  facilities), loss of wetlands, green spaces, and increases in the concentration of greenhouse gas emissions. Biggest challenge during the 21st century is to provide clean air, water, energy, land, with the sustainable livelihood options for billions of people. Rapid urbanisation consequent to globalisation in cities like Bangalore, has led to large scale land cover changes, posing serious challenges to the decision makers in the city planning and management process involving plethora of issues like infrastructure development, traffic congestion, enhanced pollution levels (land, water, air and environment), basic amenities (electricity, water, and sanitation), etc. Apart from this, major implications of urbanisation are: Loss of wetlands and green spaces, Floods, Decline in groundwater table, Heat island, increased carbon footprint and Solid waste mismanagement.

Ms.Hita Unnikrishnan

PhD student Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)

Abstract:The city of Bengaluru, while having attained global fame as the Garden City and IT capital of the country, is also synonymous with its incredibly engineered networked system of lakes and open wells that provided a measure of water security to the city. While once crucial as the city's water lifeline, they today stand neglected, ruined and polluted, with efforts to rejuvenate them still needing both momentum and deeper engagement. My talk will delve into the history of use and dependency on these important water bodies, and the reasons for disengagement with them in the contemporary time. It will then provide a few pointers towards the importance of understanding the resource completely, ensuring inclusivity, and promoting active engagement in efforts to conserve these dying water bodies.