6. Environmental issues in regional planning

Case Study 1: Flood Vulnerability and Regional Planning in South 24 Parganas, India

Theories and Perspectives Applied to Environmental Planning:

• Core-Periphery Model (Friedmann, 1966) – Highlights spatial inequalities in environmental vulnerability.
• Spatial Interaction Model – Explains movement and interaction between ecological systems.
• Sustainable Development Framework (Brundtland, 1987) – Balances economic growth with environmental conservation.

Models/Theories/Laws Applied:

• Flood Susceptibility Index (FSI) Model – Identifies risk locations based on geomorphology and hydrology.
• Regional Disaster Management Framework – Evaluates strategies for mitigating climate-related risks.
• Thiessen Polygon Method – Used for defining flood-prone regional boundaries.

Recent Data:

• Flood Risk: South 24 Parganas faces rising inundation due to storm surges and global sea level rise.
• Environmental Impact: Mangrove ecosystems threatened by shifting shorelines and arsenic contamination.
• Policy Initiatives: District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) implemented for flood mitigation.

Spatial Variation:

• Coastal Zones: High vulnerability due to rising sea levels.
• Inland Areas: Moderate risk with seasonal flooding patterns.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Flood susceptibility increasing since 1990s.
• Future Projections: Expected rise in climate adaptation policies and infrastructure investments.

Source:

• Regional Planning Framework for Addressing Flood Vulnerability

Insight:

South 24 Parganas’ flood vulnerability validates Sustainable Development Framework, emphasizing the need for integrated disaster risk reduction strategies.

Case Study 2: Urbanization and Environmental Challenges in India’s Hills

Theories and Perspectives Applied to Environmental Planning:

• Core-Periphery Model (Friedmann, 1966) – Highlights spatial inequalities in urban expansion.
• Urban-Rural Continuum Model – Studies the transition between urban and rural areas.
• Sustainable Development Framework (Brundtland, 1987) – Balances economic growth with environmental conservation.

Models/Theories/Laws Applied:

• Nature-Based Solutions Model – Evaluates strategies for mitigating hydraulic hazards.
• Climate Adaptation Framework – Examines policy interventions for extreme weather events.
• Spatial Interaction Model – Explains movement and interaction between urban and ecological systems.

Recent Data:

• Urbanization Trends: India’s hilly cities experiencing rapid expansion, leading to deforestation and water mismanagement.
• Climate Risks: Heat waves, excessive humidity, and river overflows affecting urban settlements.
• Policy Initiatives: Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT 2.0 promoting sustainable urban planning.

Spatial Variation:

• Tier-1 Cities: High environmental degradation due to urban congestion.
• Hilly Regions: Moderate risk with climate-sensitive urban expansion.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Urbanization accelerating since 2000s.
• Future Projections: Expected rise in nature-based solutions and storm-water management strategies.

Source:

• Urbanization in India’s Hills: Persistent Challenges and Plausible Pathways

Insight:

India’s hilly urbanization challenges validate Nature-Based Solutions Model, emphasizing the role of ecological planning in mitigating environmental risks.