Every municipal corporation in the world struggles to control its own destiny, says Michael Berkowitz, president, Resilient Cities Project, Rockefeller Foundation, sombrely. And, the enormity of the task is suddenly upon you. How does our city cope? Will it be strong and brace up to the future? Will it be what we want it to be for us, for every citizen who lives here and every citizen who may live here?
Chennai’s also right there. And as it grapples, as most cities do, with multiple challenges, here’s some help to get on. The city is among the three in India in a list of 100 cities that are pushing the boundaries to prepare for the future.
There was much rejoicing in the city and anticipation, when the Rockefeller Foundation announced in December 2014 that Chennai had found a place on its Resilient Cities project. Months later, the first attempt at operationalising the project gets underway, with the much-travelled Mr. Berkowitz, weighing in.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Berkowitz shared his optimism about the ability to build cities that would be resilient to face all kinds of emergencies. “When we think about what the resilient city does, we do so in a very closed way. It is not just the ability to survive or to be prepared just for the sudden threats, but also persistent threats, such as food, water, transportation, energy, violence and law and order. We need to think of it holistically, and build cohesive communities to bring together everything that helps a city.”
Chennai along with Bangalore and Surat are among the 67 cities chosen thus far. The entire list will be ready next year, and it is possible that one or two more Indian cities are included, Mr. Berkowitz says. Chennai threw in its glove in the global challenge, and by virtue of it being “an evolved power unit, with complex eco-systems and diversity”, nailed it.
“This is the first step in identifying where one needs help,” Mr. Berkowitz stresses. It depends on the city: some cities need infrastructure, others are not able to get people to feel invested. While infrastructure and inclusion mean a generational change, quick wins and strategic deployments are also key. A City Resilience index is also being prepared to take a holistic view of what makes for resilience and how one can measure it,” Mr. Berkowitz says. While it will lay out the whole picture, it will also provide for regional and local inflexions that may be crucial for the success of the project, he adds.
And we wait for Chennai, this diverse, burgeoning city, with its pluses and minuses to capitalise on this opportunity and toughen up, still being buoyant.
