WATER-SENSITIVE PLANNING FOR ALUVA MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

Due to urbanization and climate change, many cities are addressing a wide range of environmental concerns, many of which are linked to natural water resources. However, the increasing urbanization, and densification, which are related to urban challenges of the modern urban environment are increasing the pressure on the water cycle and its preservation. Due to urbanization, the land use land cover of urban areas is highly affected by surface sealing which is the main cause of impact on the water cycle of an area. The paper reviews adopting water sensitivity at the stage of planning Aluva municipality developments and analyzing it can helpful for maintain the water cycle by managing the supply and demand for water, stormwater, wastewater, and groundwater as well as bring benefits such as resilience reduction in temperature concerning climate change and adaptation of city. The study uses different types of data to resolve this: Assessment of groundwater potential zones, land use distribution and its changes over the years, slope, soil, geomorphology, drainage density, Water resource, the available park, and open spaces, land cover analysis to assess the pervious and impervious nature of developments. These data are collected through various secondary sources like published reports journals and articles and primary data collection like expert interviews and opinions. The primary survey analysis the major land use distribution, their water usage, and water management considerations at the macro level. From the study it was analyzed that the Aluva municipality gets saturated day by day this leads to the loss of permeable areas and green open areas which is highly affecting the water level and runoff of the town. This urban face become a major reason for climatic risks. The study offers sensitive planning strategies at different scales for pervious area consideration environmental protection and development, at the macro level, green corridor development to connect the town level ecosystems to connect the water loop, at the meso level, and at the site level and building intervention for efficient water usage, at the micro level, through the integration of water-sensitive planning and design interventions.