Appraisal of water quality and ecological sensitivity with reference to riverfront development along the River Gomti, India

The conflict between the vitality of natural ecosystem versus artificially developed systems has existed since decades. The ecological sensitivity and socio-economic aspects associated with riverfront development along rivers have attracted the attention of environmentalists and ecologists across the globe. The present study evaluates the impacts of channelization and riverfront development on the water quality of river Gomti through Water Pollution Index (WPI) and other statistical tools. Of the total studied sites, 75% were found to be in the ‘highly polluted’ category even after the development of riverfront. An approximate increase of 274.5% and 171.76% was witnessed in the WPI values at the midstream sites of Kudiaghat and Daliganj, respectively. This increase in the WPI values clearly stated the deteriorated water quality of river Gomti after the channelization. The major issue of domestic sewage discharge with partial or no treatment into the river seems to be unresolved even after a considerable period of riverfront development. This study can provide a reference database toward development of such projects across the globe.

Riverfront Development - A Public Realm, Its Adaptations, and Environmental Impacts

Sidemen Distrct is one of the tourist attractions in Karangasem Regency. One of the prominent tourist attractions in Sidemen District from the past until now is the natural attractions of Iseh and Tebola as well as the sidemen songket weaving craft centre. Then, in 2010 began to expand tourism with the concept of “river tourism” namely tourism by making the Tukad Unda river as the main attraction. The development of tourism in Sidemen District is increasingly felt by the emergence of various tourism supporting facilities in the river border area. Of course, with the development of the construction of these facilities, it has an impact on the environment in the river border area, especially the spatial function seen from land use. The method used in this research is mapping analysis method with overlay technique. The results of the analysis explain that changes in land use that occur are clearly visible from the year of observation, namely in 2010 before the construction of tourism facilities until 2021. Changes in land use that occur lead to incompatibility with the direction of land use that has been determined. There are several land functions that have changed, including the function of plantation land/moor, and the function of agricultural land/rice fields. Of the two land functions, the one that shows the most changes because it is used for tourism facilities is the plantation/moor function of 5.43%. This percentage of land use change area is evidence that an activity such as tourism can have an influence on land function in an area. If this is left unchecked, it can result in arbitrary land use and not in accordance with the direction of the land function designation that has been stipulated in the spatial planning rules.

Ecological Guidelines and Recommendations for Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development

This paper is a case of urban river Mutha for ecological management.Over the past few decades, condition of river Mutha has deteriorated considerably. The present situation shows less of fresh water flow and lot of sewage water addition,waste dumping and foul smelling water flow. The fresh water contribution by base flow to the main stream is very negligible. The only source of fresh water is sporadic water release from Khadakwasala dam. It is irregular and in small proportion to support ecosystem functioning of the river Mutha.There is a of public debate regarding improvement in the river's condition and to correct its root cause. The disruption in the river's ecosystem is basically by human interventions. The study appeals for interdisciplinary approach with a view of environmental governance and management to solve river related problems. The focus of this study is to assess environmental impact when the river related projects being planned by Municipal authorities. The study included survey of physical changes by human interventions, in the river Mutha channel ,banks and modification of habitats hampering aquatic as well as land biodiversity. The study indicated crucial biodiversity indicators for the health of the river ecosystem. By giving grades based on both the physical conditions and biodiversity of various stretches of the river plan to improve conditions is suggested.The study created guidelines for restoration and management of Mutha river ecosystem, which may be useful for rivers especially in the urban area. This paper is based on the research project .Ecological Guidelines and Recommendations for Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development. conducted by Ecological Society.

Towards conceptions of green gentrification as more-than-human

This article seeks to expand scholarly conceptions of green gentrification by emphasizing the complex and contradictory connections between nonhumans and humans as critical for understanding neighborhood change. Drawing from posthumanist scholarship, as well as literature on urban political ecology, urban greening, gentrification and “just green enough,” this article argues that to understand green amenities not only as sites of injustice, but rather as dynamic sites of injustice and resistance, requires disaggregating amenities from traditional conceptions of green gentrification. In doing so, it is possible to analyze the complex agencies of greenspace itself as connected to pluralized forms of (in)justice associated with race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class. To illustrate this, I use a more-than-human framework to reconceptualize three existing “just green enough” case studies of (1) riverfront development, (2) urban linear parks, and (3) community gardens to show how injustice and resistance are not only broad-based, but unique to amenity and place. The aim of this review is to offer new ways of understanding and analyzing the dialectic of injustice and resistance associated with green gentrification.

Restoring and Controlling the Water Pollution of Endangered River in Bangladesh: A Case Study in Pabna City

Rivers are the lifeline of Bangladesh economy and serve as the source of water supply, fisheries, irrigation for agriculture, low-cost transport, generate electricity and conserve biodiversity. The Ichamati River situated in Pabna, Bangladesh is also a blessing for the city. However, recently, due to the irregular and unplanned activities adjacent to the riverside, the life, flow and water quality of the river is in a vulnerable condition. This study aims to identify the present status of the Ichamati River and provide an effective design approach and policy measures in restoring the river flow and control water pollution. The data was collected from the questioner surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Results suggest that several factors such as the construction of an illegal settlement, unplanned waste dumping, disposal of fiscal sludge through sewerage connection, lack of awareness among people regarding the importance of river biodiversity and absence of riverfront development and conservation plan are responsible for water pollution, inconsistent water flow and damaging the life cycle of Ichamati river. The design approach and policy measures were developed based on the perceptions of local community people, experts and government officials. The suggested policy measures will help to restore the flow of the river and reduce the water pollution, and the design approach will ensure the economic benefit of the riverfront development in future.

Guiding Sustainable Development along Rivers in India

<p>Rivers have been a crucial part of human existence and the cradle of ancient civilizations. Historically, all cities developed along river banks. Rivers have played a seminal role in structuring cities the world over. India is recognized as a river nation and has had a long history of mystical affiliation with its rivers. Here rivers are considered sacred and venerated. All human activities and rituals are innately associated with the riverfront. Riverfronts have functioned as crucial socio-cultural religious spaces. In today’s times however Rivers present a gory picture of neglect. Fresh water is polluted by domestic, industrial, agricultural and religious waste. Fortunately, people  over the world have begun to realize the importance of rivers and concentrated efforts to ecologically rehabilitate and restore them are underway. In India, such efforts are mostly hinged on channelizing the riverbank and providing a space for recreation for city dwellers. Activists and water proponents, however, contest this approach and term it to be a mere initiative focussed towards river beautification rather than river rehabilitation. Such initiatives are not necessarily ecologically responsive and sustainable. India has been one of the leading participants of the United Nations and is dedicated to the UN's 2015 sustainable development goals (SDGs). Under SDG 6 and SDG 11, India strives to boost its water bodies, water quality and provide a comprehensive sustainable solution. India initiated the Smart City Projects (SCP's) in 2015, focussing on cities ' overall sustainable development'. Under this project, a total of 100 cities have been identified and more than 60 cities have a plan for riverfront development. These initiatives are targeted at reducing water pollution, providing aid to the riverbank and improving the connect between the city and its river. This paper aims at reviewing the recent Riverfront development proposals in India under the smart city mission and develop a set of indicators as a framework that allows future communities to reclaim their river and river edges in a sustainable manner. Research is conducted in two stages. Phase one is to establish a framework based on the principles of urban design and urban planning policies in India and assess the planned riverfront project. Phase two suggests a multi-criterion sustainability framework in the context of Indian rivers and validate its application using the community discussion process. Discussions involve Indian government officials’ scholars from a variety of disciplines, engineers, designers, and the general public. This framework aims to direct developers, architects, PWDs, environmental authorities, towards sustainable restoration/rehabilitation strategies in the context of Indian rivers. </p><p>Keywords: Riverfront development, River Rehabilitation, River Restoration, Sustainability, Channelization, Smart City Projects</p>