The Hindu 09.11.2013
Aluva may get some advice from the UK in urban planning
Aluva municipality may receive expert inputs on “future-proofing” as per an agreement to be signed between the local body and a UK firm.
Atkins, a UK-based design, engineering and project management consultant, will ink a Memorandum of Understanding with Aluva municipality on November 11. Prince Charles will be present when the representatives of the firm will sign the memorandum of understanding with the civic head of Aluva municipality, “marking the participation of Kochi in the Future Cities project,” according to an official communication.
Future proofing, according to its proponents, assess the risk profile of cities “from climate hazards, resource scarcities, and damage to ecosystems and urges action now to future proof against these risks.” Atkins, says its website, had assessed the risks of 128 cities worldwide, in partnership with the UK Department for International Development and the University College London.
The report assessed “the environmental risks facing cities in an integrated way and identifies more than 100 practical policy options that are most relevant and will be of most benefit to the different types of cities.” The report was “set against a growing awareness of the need for increased funding for infrastructure development in developing countries at the city level,” according to its website.
Jebi Mather, a councillor of the Aluva Municipality, said the climate change would have its impact on a city like Aluva, which had witnessed flooding during the last monsoon. Besides the banks of the river and its adjacent areas, several wards of the local body were flooded. “The expertise of the UK firm is expected to help urban planners in drawing up future plans to mitigate the impacts of climate change among other things,” said Ms. Mather, who was coordinating the project for the local body.
The local body will also showcase the activities of the Kudumbashree units before the visiting team. The unique products developed and marketed by the units will be put on display.