Methodology for sustainable development along an eco-fragile zone for land use management and mitigating climate change: Evidence of East Kolkata Wetlands

Kolkata’s city core is getting depopulated but has experienced an explosive population growth leading to rapid urbanization which is encroaching the ecologically fragile wetlands of the eastern fringe of the main city. This contrasting urban growth along the East Kolkata wetland is accounted mainly for the increase in city size, expansion of tertiary and service sector activities especially the IT boom, and the improved transit facilities along the eastern fringe. This has helped the real estate sector to thrive along the vulnerable eastern fringe of the city, leading to a drastic change in the wetland ecosystem. Secondary studies have also indicated that consumption of wetlands, indicated by fragmented land use has altered the microclimate of Kolkata. The significant land cover change due to human-induced perturbations has led to an insurgence of temperature in the region (Li, Mitra, Dong, & Yang, 2018). The entire transit corridor is subjected to verticalization juxtaposing the cultural essence of Kolkata bringing with it a myriad of Economic, Social, Cultural and subsequent planning challenges. The critical review of the selective literature shows how the best planning practices have integrated transit policies with land use. This has further helped the researcher in formulating strategies and policies specific to the regional context in order to render sustainable development in the study area. The study explores how the transit policies in Kolkata have actually transformed the city physically, socially, culturally and changed its microclimate. The study identifies future trends and assesses the future development potential, intensification with the help of qualitative and quantitative analysis. The study also conducts land suitability analysis for framing proposals and recommendations for ensuring sustainable development along the East Kolkata Wetland.  The outcome of this study is a methodology for sustainability strategic planning for developing the growth node along the eastern fringe of Kolkata which will curb the encroachment of the East Kolkata Wetlands. The study also provides a platform for policy recommendations for land use management and mitigate future climate changes in this eco-fragile zone.

Keywords: landuse; climate change; transit policies; sustainable planning; wetlands

Reference

Li, X., Mitra, C., Dong, L., & Yang, Q. (2018). Understanding land use change impacts on microclimate using Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 103, 115–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2017.01.017