Resilient cities for the future : a case of Chennai

Abstract

Fast pace of urbanisation and population growth is an imminent global challenge. The World Urbanisation Prospects of the United Nations suggest that more than 75% of the global population will concentrate in cities by the year 2050. The pressure of this population rise, on our cities and the concerned natural systems are bound to increase in the near future. Floods, cyclones, earthquakes, wildfires and heat waves made the year 2015 a devastating one for millions around the world, with 150 major natural disasters being recorded. Asia bore the brunt of these disasters with massive earthquakes in Nepal, floods in Chennai, heat waves hitting South India and Typhoon Komen inundating the Indian subcontinent, to cite a few examples. The changes in climate and the failures of physical systems make our cities vulnerable to disasters of various kinds leading to a physical collapse of that city. This research paper, deals with the concept of disaster resilience in this context and how this can be applied at the city, neighbourhood as well as the individual level. The intent of this paper is to develop a framework of strategies for an emergency response programme, taking a case of the Indian city of Chennai. The initial approach surveys in detail the way the city functions w.r.t the natural systems and looks into the city’s growth through the ages. The paper proposes an initial theory around the creation of an ideal emergency response model consisting of physical and technological networks that will come into play once a risk situation arises within a city. This model was first done at a generic level where it can be applied on to any city of any context. The major outcome of the research is the development of this unique model so as to place it in the city of Chennai considering its intricate labyrinth and functions.