To mitigate the effects of climate change, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) will integrate blue-green infrastructure in the Third Master Plan.
What’s it about? Due to climate change, the city is now more prone to flooding and water scarcity. The CMDA has decided to include blue-green infrastructure in its Third Master Plan. Broadly speaking, this includes initiatives to increase the city’s green cover and protect its water bodies.
- Per the CMDA, the city has lost farmlands, floodplains, forests, streams, and wetlands due to urbanisation. It has increased runoff and increased land surface temperature.
- The initiative will include the systematic integration of rivers, canals, ponds, floodplains, and water treatment facilities. Consultants appointed will map blue-green elements to assess climate change risks like rising sea levels.
Potential threats: The CMDA document stated Chennai would face increased threats from extreme storm events, rising sea levels, heat waves, and poor air quality. The city’s water issues will aggravate unless the natural hydrological flows and aquifers are restored.