Citation

Dhyani S, Lahoti S, Khare S, Pujari P, Verma P. Int. J. Disaster Risk Reduct. 2018; 32: 95-105.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.01.018

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Nagpur city is among the fastest growing agglomerations of Central India. The city is considered to be a fore-runner in sustainable development amist the rapid urbanization occurring in India. Though, selected under the "smart city" project launched by the Indian government, the city faces many urban challenges ineffectively addressed by the current development plan. Haphazard and rapid infrastructural development without any comprehensive plan is leading to urban sprawl that compromises urban green infrastructure across the city. It excludes utilizing benefits of nature and ecosystem services to complement and reduce urban stress. This has led to wetland reductions, reduced water infiltration affecting the water table and causing water shortage, flash floods, significant loss of vegetation cover and biodiversity across the city and increased heat island effects. These issues along with current approach that discounts the importance of ecosystems-based approach has put forward many challenges and a question with regard to sustaining "green image of the city". To reduce risk against uncertainties, it is imperative to understand human-environment connections that involves diverse values and ecosystem services provided by the natural environment of the cities. Present study is a review of major issues raised due to un-planned development and addresses the feasibility and appropriateness of using the EbDRR approach. Environmental engineering based approaches having potential to transform Nagpur City into to a "smart city" can set an example for other Indian cities to follow. This article facilitates understanding and practical applications of ecosystem based approaches and practices to counter negative impact of urbanization.

Language: en

Keywords

Disaster Risk Reduction; Ecosystem based approaches; Ecosystem services; Nagpur; Smart City; Urbanization