Governance for Resilience and Sustainable Living: Navigating Urban and Transboundary Flood risk in India.
The proposed research explores the critical issue of urban flooding in India, examining how institutional, political, socio-economic and environmental factors contribute to this growing challenge. More specifically, it focuses on how governance, specifically transboundary governance, is shaping flood risk geographies and interventions in India.
The research examines the exacerbation of urban flooding by rapid urbanization and climate change, highlighting the increased vulnerability of urban dwellers, particularly those from economically disadvantaged groups. This research scrutinizes neoliberal urban governance models, their impact on flood resilience, and the effectiveness of current disaster management policies.
At its core, the research will bring into dialogue concepts of sustainability and sustainable living with urban flood governance. It aims to bridge theoretical gaps in how governance at different levels influences flood management, particularly in transboundary contexts (e.g., at the catchment scale). It seeks to translate theoretical contributions into actionable solutions for varied urban settings in the Global South, where urbanisation is accelerating.
Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research draws on interdisciplinary theories, including Disaster Risk Governance, Urban Political Ecology, Social Vulnerability, Transboundary Water Governance, Resilience Theory, Integrated Water Resources Management, and Public Policy, to provide a comprehensive perspective on creating sustainable, resilient urban environments. The knowledge it generates will contribute to collective efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals 11, 13, and 16.
In sum, this research aims to enhance understanding of sustainable urban flood governance, develop a policy framework combining transboundary and sustainable water governance, and create resilience strategies for vulnerable communities, urban planners and policymakers in the Global South.