A team of research scholars from Germany has commenced a study on urban development and civic conditions along Buckingham Canal.
The scholars, associated with the Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS), are part of a research study on ‘Urban resilience and adaptation to climate change in Chennai’.
On Monday, the team met Chennai Corporation officials as part of the process of collecting data on the 47-km canal. It will also use the services of other departments, including the Public Works Department.
Starting Tuesday, the scholars will visit localities along the canal and collect primary data on socio-economic and environmental aspects.
At least 25 research scholars, including those from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, will examine the potential for co-operative adaptation to urban flooding, by various stakeholders, along the canal. “Buckingham Canal is the major flood-carrier in the metropolitan area. So, we are focussing on it,” said an official associated with the project.
Data pertaining to urban development will be compiled for use by civic agencies for restoration of neighbourhoods along the canal.
The special focus of the project will be protection of the environment and pertain to various issues including water resources, energy, land use, urban development and municipal solid waste management. The results would promote development of innovative ideas and solutions to specific local issues, officials said. Civic bodies in the Chennai metropolitan area would use the data generated by the study to meet the challenges of climate change, officials added.
This study by IGCS is part of initiatives for co-operation between German and Indian scientists on fundamental and applied research, teaching and training, and dissemination of information in the area of sustainable development.
