Urbanisation and Waterscapes

This book provides a comprehensive exploration of how rapid urbanisation is reshaping waterscapes in the world's urban deltas and what strategies are needed to ensure resilience and sustainability in these fragile environments. By combining conceptual insights, global case studies, and practical approaches, it examines the dynamic relationship between cities, water bodies, and deltaic ecosystems under the pressures of climate change, sea-level rise, and socio-economic transformation.

The book highlights the urgent challenges that urban deltas face todayflooding, water pollution, ecosystem degradation, and social inequalities in water accesswhile showcasing adaptive pathways that can secure sustainable futures. It brings together interdisciplinary perspectives from urban planning, environmental science, water governance, engineering, and social studies to offer a holistic understanding of urban waterscapes. Particular emphasis is placed on the interconnectedness of ecological health, infrastructure, and human well-being, positioning deltas as critical laboratories for sustainable urbanisation.

Key themes addressed include the historical evolution of deltaic cities, the governance of water bodies, the socio-ecological impacts of urban expansion, and the disproportionate vulnerabilities experienced by marginalised communities. The book also explores forward-looking strategies such as nature-based solutions, smart water technologies, climate-sensitive planning, and community-driven resilience frameworks. Drawing on case studies from diverse regionsincluding the Ganges-Brahmaputra, Mekong, Nile, Mississippi, and European deltasit demonstrates both the risks of unchecked growth and the opportunities for innovative water-sensitive urban development.

In tackling these issues, the book seeks to answer a pressing global question: how can cities thrive while living with water, rather than against it? The synthesis of theory, evidence, and practice presented here makes it not only an academic contribution but also a policy-relevant resource.

This book will appeal to researchers, scholars, and graduate students in the fields of urban studies, environmental science, sustainability, geography, water management, and climate change adaptation. It will also be of great value to urban planners, policymakers, development practitioners, and NGOs working on sustainable urbanisation and delta resilience.

Explores how rapid urbanisation reshapes delta waterscapes and strategies for resilience and sustainability Integrates global case studies and interdisciplinary insights on urban planning, ecology, and water governance Highlights adaptive solutions, nature-based strategies, and policies for sustainable, resilient urban deltas

Autorentext

Dr. Kavita Dehalwar is an assistant professor in the Department of Architecture and Planning at Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, where she has been contributing to teaching and research since 2005. With over 15 years of academic experience, she has actively participated in numerous conferences and has a keen interest in scholarly writing. Dr. Dehalwar holds a Ph.D. from MANIT Bhopal, earned in 2017. She is a life member of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing and the Indian Society of Geomatics and a permanent member of the National Science Council and the Institute of Town Planners, India.

Shashikant Nishant Sharma is a distinguished scholar and practitioner in the field of development studies, widely recognised for his contributions to planning, management, and sustainable development. He is the author of 12 books that critically engage with issues of urban planning, policy, and governance. Currently, he serves as the research head at Track2Training. He obtained Ph.D. in urban planning from MANIT, Bhopal, has also contributed to academia as an assistant professor at NIT Calicut, and is a guest faculty at UPES Dehradun, where he taught and mentored future professionals. His work bridges the gap between academic research and practice, making him a prominent voice in contemporary development discourse.

Inhalt

Preface.- Acknowledgements.- List of Contributors.- List of Figures and Tables.- Urbanisation, Water, and Deltaic Landscapes A Conceptual Overview.- Historical Perspectives on Urban Deltas and Waterscapes.- Governance and Policy Frameworks for Urban Waterscapes.