Water as Leverage- Setting the scene for a call for action

Water as Leverage for Resilient Cities Asia Setting the Scene for a Call for Action Content
1.1.2
Coastal Metropolis
Chennai is a large metropolis on India’s eastern
coast. Its urban fabric ranges from high-rise
development in prime locations to informal
settlements along the main water bodies, dotted
with remnants from the British colonial era and the
historical Ery water system.
Historical
Centre
Ery Systems
The city currently covers 426 km 2 and contains
a wide range of urban tissues, from stateof-the-art
high-rise urban developments to
informal settlements. Some of the highlighted
urban fabrics are:
Historical Centre The center
includes the oldest parts of the city and
contains clear evidence of the British colonial
presence. The urban tissue of the center
is characterized by a compact reticular
framework. The main open spaces tend to
be dedicated to monumental and iconic
constructions.
Ery Systems The Ery system is
compiled of rivers, drains, canals, reservoirs,
ponds and water temples. The urban tissue
of the Erys, which integrates the water bodies
as common spaces, is widely prevalent in
Chennai and highly heterogeneous.
Urban Development Rapid urbaniza
tion has been swallowing up Chennai’s
water bodies and vacant plots, replacing
them with medium high-rise buildings and
infrastructure. Open spaces in this tissue tend
to be temporary, as they are often built upon.
Once fully developed, these areas will have a
high density.
High-Rise Urban Development
The high-rise urban developments are currently
restricted to areas on Old Mahabalipuram
Road (OMR) and the outer ring road, and
mirror Chennai’s economic welfare. Situated in
unique locations, surrounded by public space
and housing the most expensive residences,
these areas are driving up land value and
exemplify the inequality that exists in the city.
Informal Settlements The
informal settlements are usually located along
the waterfronts (rivers and sea) or on vacant
spots in between medium and high-rise
developments. Housing the most vulnerable
populations, they are the densest and
underserved areas in the city, lacking basic
services and facilities.
Urban
Development
High-Rise
Urban
Development
Informal
Settlements
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CHENNAI
Urban Dynamics
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