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.
