Urban Futures: Resource Conservation and Image of the City

This book explores the built environment through aspects of spatial planning, ecology, infrastructure, and urban identity. By presenting case studies from both developed and developing nations, the chapters reveal the interconnectedness of urban spaces with socio-economic and cultural dynamics, in addition to ecology and the environment. Urban areas and cities are key players in boosting economic development and enhancing social welfare. Nonetheless, the swift pace of urbanisation presents intricate challenges and obstacles in creating inclusive, sustainable, and resilient living spaces that are modern and capable of accommodating the growing needs of urban populations. This book probes various issues, interventions, and designs from diverse cities, diving into the specifics of sector-related concerns and new insights pertaining to land use planning and its implications, urban design frameworks, green and blue infrastructure, informal settlements, sustainability through resource conservation, transportation modelling, waste management, and ultimately, the image of the city. This book will be advantageous and appealing to students and researchers involved in the built environment, urban planning and design, heritage and vernacular identity, infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and urban studies. It will also attract the attention of professionals and policymakers associated with these fields who are engaged in shaping urban futures.

Table of Contents:
List of Figures List of Tables Contributors Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations 1. Gateways and Barriers for Planning and Implementation of Blue-Green Infrastructure: Experience from Amaravati 2. An Inquiry into the Spatial Transformation and Effectiveness of Planning Efforts in Ahmedabad, India 3. Mixed-Use Development in Residential Areas in the Context of Zoning and Development Regulations having a Liberal Framework: The Case of Ahmedabad, India 4. Examining the Capability of Urban Greens in Ahmedabad to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change 5. Accessibility of the Public Green Space in Ulaanbaatar 6. Urban Agriculture: Scope, Opportunities and Mechanisms 7. A Modelling Tool for Designing Urban Mobility Alternatives and Evaluating Their Direct and Indirect Environmental Impacts 8. An Alternative Perspective on Fruit and Vegetable Waste Management in Urban Hotels 9. Sustainable Spatial Transformation and Urban Environmental Management: Case Study of the Jukskei River - Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa 10. Lepcha Archetype: Cultural Identity of Sustainable Living 11. Tracing the Notions of Privacy in the Architectural Styles of Pondicherry: A Case of French, Tamil and Franco-Tamil Residences 12. The Living Vernacular: The Case of Old City of Ahmedabad Index

About the Author :
Utpal Sharma is the founding Director and Professor at the Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India. R. Parthasarathy is a Visiting Professor at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie, India. Aparna is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India.