Publication
A Strategic Framework for Managing Urban River Stretches in the Ganga River Basin: URMP
2020
The Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework, prepared by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), serves as a strategic guide for Indian cities to rejuvenate, manage, and integrate rivers into urban planning. It identifies rivers as essential ecological and cultural assets that are under increasing pressure from urbanization and pollution. The framework outlines a comprehensive seven-stage planning process, including city-river profiling, vision development, goal setting, preparation of detailed action plans, alignment with urban development plans, institutional integration, and monitoring mechanisms. It encourages…
Publication
Strategic Guidelines for “Making River Sensitive Master Plans
2021
The Strategic Guidelines for Making River-Sensitive Master Plans, developed by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) with the support of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), provides a structured approach to integrate river-sensitive planning into urban master plans across India. The guidelines aim to ensure that rivers, as critical ecological, cultural, and economic assets, are safeguarded amid urban development. The document outlines a seven-step process starting with a baseline assessment of the river's condition, including its ecological status and water quality. This is followed by visioning and goal setting for river management. The guidelines emphasize policy and regu…
Publication
Urban River Management Plan - Kanpur
2021
The Urban River Management Plan (URMP) for Kanpur, developed by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) with the support of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), is a comprehensive strategy aimed at integrating river health into urban planning and governance. It focuses on the restoration, protection, and sustainable management of the Ganga and Pandu rivers, which are critical to Kanpur’s ecological balance, cultural identity, and public health.Kanpur, historically a major industrial and cultural hub along the Ganga, has long suffered from the degradation of its rivers due to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, solid waste dumping, and unplanned urban expansion. The URMP addresses these issues through a multi-dimensional approach that combines infrastructure development, policy reform, ecological restoration, and community engagement.The plan’s objectives include reducing direct pollution into rivers, improving sewage and solid waste management, rejuvenating natural habitats, and enhancing public access to the rivers through planned riverfront development. Key interventions include the installation of decentralized wastewater treatment systems, promotion of solid waste segregation at source, restoration of natural buffers along the riverbanks, and development of public amenities like ghats, parks, and walkways. These measures aim to reconnect people with the r…
Publication
Urban River Management Plan – Ayodhya
2023
The Urban River Management Plan (URMP) for Ayodhya, prepared by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), is a strategic framework designed to sustainably manage and rejuvenate the Saryu River, which holds deep ecological, spiritual, and cultural significance. This plan focuses on integrating river health into the city’s urban planning mechanisms to ensure that the development of Ayodhya complements the conservation of its vital water body. The URMP outlines key objectives such as pollution abatement, improved sewage and solid waste management, riverfront development, habitat restoration, and enhanced public access. It p…
Publication
Urban River Management Plan - Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad)
2023
The National Institute of Urban Affairs has assisted the city of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in creating its Urban River Management Plan (URMP). This is one of the first Urban River Management Plans created for a city outside of the Ganga basin, and considers the specific challenges associated with the Kham and Sukhna seasonal, rain-fed rivers. The URMP Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar proposes a set of 21 tangible and practical actions for managing the city’s water features, under the ten-point URMP agenda. While some of these interventions are planning-oriented and conceptual, others are projects that can be directly implemented on ground. The Urban River Management Plan (URMP) for Chhatrapati Sam…
Publication
A Guide towards River-Sensitive Urban Planning
2020
The "River Sensitive Urban Planning: Knowledge Product" (Version 2), developed by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), provides a comprehensive framework for incorporating river-sensitive approaches into urban planning and development. This knowledge product is a vital resource designed to guide urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders in cities across India, where river corridors are integral to both the ecological and cultural landscape.The document highlights the critical need to integrate river health into urban planning, particularly as cities face rapid growth and urbanization. It emphasizes that rivers are not merely sources of water but essential ecological systems that support biodiversity, regulate climate, and provide important cultural and recreational spaces. By focusing on sustainable urban development, the knowledge product calls for a paradigm shift in how cities engage with their rivers, ensuring that urban growth aligns with environmental sustainability and resilience.The knowledge product offers several strategies to achieve this goal. These include pollution management, decentralized wastewater treatment systems, sustainable stormwater management, and restoration of natural riverbanks. It outlines the importance of a river-sensitive approach to flood management, the preservati…