Green Gaps And Urban Maps: Why Eksar Needs More Than Just
Concrete
December 10th, 2024
By Sanya Jain
Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in Urban Development:
Addressing Market Failures and Environmental Injustice in Eksar, Mumbai
Under what circumstances can market failures including externalities, such as the undervaluation of ecosystem services, incomplete property rights, information asymmetries, and environmental injustices be addressed to facilitate the integration of Indigenous knowledge into urban development projects, with specific reference to the Eksar community in Mumbai?
Concern
Rapid urbanization in Mumbai threatens the cultural heritage, socioeconomic stability, and climate resilience of marginalized communities like Eksar.
Thesis Statement
Addressing market failures including externalities such as the undervaluation of ecosystem services, incomplete property rights, information asymmetries, and environmental injustices is essential to integrating Indigenous knowledge into urban development projects enhancing climate resilience, reducing socio-economic inequities, and promoting sustainable urban planning in communities like Eksar, Mumbai.
Research Objectives
To address market failures by integrating Indigenous knowledge into urban development policies through cost-benefit analysis, ensuring equitable resource allocation and sustainable urban growth.
To enhance socio-economic equity and climate resilience by incorporating participatory planning and equity analysis into development strategies, fostering inclusive and culturally sensitive solutions.
Addressing the Risks
Economic
Market Failures
Negative Externalities
Information Asymmetries
Inequity
Incomplete Property Rights
E
K
S A R
Environmental
Flooding
Mangrove Depletion
Sea-level Rise
Pollution
Erosion of Coasts
Beneath the Surface: Unveiling Hidden Challenges in Urban Development
Flooding risks, loss of mangroves, housing displacement.
Market failures like externalities and inequitable resource distribution.
Historic prioritization of economic growth over equity in Mumbai.
Inefficient urban governance, lack of participatory planning, and neglect of Indigenous knowledge.
Perception of Indigenous practices as outdated or less viable compared to modern infrastructure.
Bridging Gaps: Policy Shortcomings and the Need for Reform
The current floodplain policies in India are neglecting community-based solutions, prioritizing large-scale infrastructure.
National Water Policy (2012)
Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, (2006)
Disaster Management Act (2005)
Mumbai Development Plan (2034)
Prioritizes largescale infrastructure projects Lacks comprehensive inclusion of Indigenous knowledge Focuses on reactive flood control measures rather than proactive Emphasizes urban expansion, with limited provisions
CALL TO ACTION: Proposing reforms that incorporate Indigenous and community-based solutions, balancing economic development with social equity and ecological sustainability.
Global Success Stories: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in Urban Development
Jakarta, Indonesia
Practice: Communitybased rainwater harvesting Outcome: Costeffective flood mitigation, improved water availability during dry seasons
Bangladesh
Practice: Houses built on raised plinths to protect against flooding Outcome: Reduced damage to property and minimal disruption to livelihoods.
New Orleans, USA
Practice: Restoration of wetland systems postHurricane Katrina Outcome: Enhanced flood risk reduction and increased biodiversity.
Balancing the Scales: Costs, Benefits, and Fairness
Costs of training, knowledge-sharing, and participatory planning are offset by reduced infrastructure costs and increased climate resilience. Mangrove preservation provides tangible flood protection benefits
02. ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION
Limited access to sustainable jobs and economic growth opportunities.
01. ACCESS TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE
High exposure to flooding and heatwaves due to lack of protective infrastructure.
01. ACCESS TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Reduced exposure through NBS like mangroves or rainwater harvesting.
03. REPRESENTATION IN PLANNING
Excluded from urban planning and decisionmaking processes
02. ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION
Increased opportunities via community-led conservation and eco-tourism projects.
03. REPRESENTATION IN PLANNING
Active inclusion through participatory design leveraging traditional knowledge
02. ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION
High access to economic benefits.
Moderate exposure to climate risks. 01. ACCESS TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE
01. ACCESS TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Further reduced exposure due to strengthened ecosystem services.
03. REPRESENTATION IN PLANNING
02. ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION Dominates planning and decision-making
Maintains high access but with more equitable distribution.
CULTURAL & ECOLOGICAL PRESERVATION
Unaffected cultural identity.
CULTURAL & ECOLOGICAL PRESERVATION
Gains greater appreciation for cultural diversity and environmental health
03. REPRESENTATION IN PLANNING
More inclusive and equitable processes but retains influence.
Collaborating for Change: Stakeholders in Urban Resilience
Local Stakeholders
Architects Urban Planners Non-profit Organizations (NGOs)
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Indian Government
Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change
Eksar Community
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
Maharashtra Government
Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA)
Recommendations
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change must integrate traditional ecological knowledge into national urban development policies, especially for communities like Eksar. This includes providing funds for community-led adaptation projects, such as mangrove restoration and water conservation systems, and ensuring that urban policies clearly spell out the needs of the most marginalized communities.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation needs to give importance to participatory planning processes in urban development, specifically in areas like Eksar. This includes more active collaboration with the community in codesigning infrastructure and resilience strategies. Secondly, BMC should support such indigenous knowledgebased solutions related to rainwater harvesting and natural flood control mechanisms to minimize dependency on expensive and ecologically disastrous hard infrastructure.
What do we know? What have we learnt?
Research Focus:
Addressing market failures and environmental injustices to integrate Indigenous knowledge in urban development, with Eksar, Mumbai, as a case study.
Key Insights:
Economic Benefits: Indigenous practices enhance climate resilience and cut long-term costs.
Equity Gains: Participatory planning reduces socio-economic disparities and centers marginalized voices.
Significance:
Indigenous knowledge bridges cultural heritage and sustainability, offering cost-effective, inclusive solutions like mangrove conservation.
Final Takeaway:
Integrating Indigenous knowledge is practical, just, and sustainable—essential for balancing growth, equity, and resilience in urban planning.
References
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