Mumbai is one of the most vulnerable cities to climate change-related hazards, including sea level rise, storm surge, and urban flooding among many others, with more than 140 km of shoreline and 480 sq. km of land area.
Mumbai also has one of the lowest per capita accessible open spaces at 1.08 sq. m/person, which is much lower than the Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation and Implementation Guidelines of 10–12 sq. m for Indian cities. Mumbai has only 12% of its land area covered in greenery and a population of over 13 million. This raises several challenges for the city’s development.
Challenges
One of the biggest challenges in making Mumbai’s infrastructure resilient to climate change is the lack of adequate resources. Mumbai is a densely populated city with limited space and resources. The city is already grappling with issues like overcrowding, traffic congestion, and inadequate public transport. It is difficult to allocate resources towards climate resilience measures when there are already so many other pressing issues that need to be addressed.
Another challenge is the lack of political will. While some political leaders have acknowledged the need to make Mumbai’s infrastructure resilient to climate change, there has been little action on the ground. Many infrastructure projects are driven by short-term political goals rather than long-term sustainability. This is a major obstacle to building climate resilience in Mumbai.
A third challenge is the lack of coordination between different government agencies and stakeholders. Mumbai’s infrastructure is managed by a variety of agencies, including the municipal corporation, state government, and central government. These agencies often have different priorities and may not coordinate their efforts effectively. This can lead to duplication of effort, wasted resources, and gaps in infrastructure planning and implementation.
Finally, there is a lack of awareness and understanding among the public about the importance of building climate resilience. Many people in Mumbai are not aware of the risks posed by climate change or the steps that can be taken to mitigate them. This makes it difficult to build public support for climate resilience measures and to mobilize resources towards this goal.
There are several approaches that can help overcome the challenges of making Mumbai’s infrastructure resilient to climate change:
1. Mobilizing resources:
One solution is to increase funding and investment towards climate resilience measures. This can be achieved by exploring innovative financing models, such as public-private partnerships or climate bonds. The government can also allocate a portion of its budget towards climate resilience projects.
2. Building political will:
Another solution is to create awareness and build consensus among political leaders on the urgency of building climate resilience. This can be achieved through sustained advocacy and outreach efforts by civil society organizations, academia, and the media.
3. Enhancing coordination:
Improved coordination between different government agencies and stakeholders can be achieved through the establishment of a centralized climate resilience authority or task force. This can ensure that all stakeholders are working towards a common goal, and that resources are utilized effectively.
4. Raising public awareness:
Public awareness campaigns can be conducted to educate citizens about the impacts of climate change and the steps that can be taken to mitigate them. This can be done through various mediums, such as social media, public service announcements, and community engagement activities.
5. Adopting sustainable practices:
Finally, the adoption of sustainable practices in various sectors, such as transport, waste management, and energy, can help reduce the city’s carbon footprint and build climate resilience. This can be achieved through incentives, regulations, and public-private partnerships.
In conclusion, making Mumbai’s infrastructure resilient to climate change requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses the challenges of resource mobilization, political will, coordination, public awareness, and sustainable practices. While there are no easy solutions, concerted efforts by all stakeholders can help build a more resilient and sustainable Mumbai.
