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…
Publication
Innovations in Urban River Management
2022
The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) have collaboratively developed a knowledge product titled ‘Innovations in Urban River Management’. The primary objective of this product is to showcase pioneering and scalable innovations to city governors, administrators, and urban practitioners, assisting them in identifying practical and locally adaptable solutions to river-related urban challenges. This product highlights a wide range of innovative case examples from domains such as Information Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Geographic Information Systems, and other emerging technologies. The featured case studies demonstrate so…
Publication
A Compendium of River Management Plans – From Managing River Basins to River Specific Projects
2022
The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), has developed a knowledge product titled “A Compendium of River Management Plans”. This compendium brings together a wide array of global best practices in river management, focusing on innovative and holistic approaches that have proven effective in different urban contexts. By documenting successful strategies from various parts of the world, the product aims to inspire Indian cities to adopt more integrated, sustainable, and inclusive methods of managing their rivers. Recognizing the numerous ecological, social, and infrastructural challenges faced by river cities in India—su…
Publication
Eco-friendly Interventions for Riverfront Development
2022
The Oxford dictionary defines an urban waterfront as “the part of a town or city adjoining a water body such as a river, lake, harbour, sea, etc.” Riverfronts can take various forms, including riverfronts, lakefronts, canal-fronts, or sea-fronts, often seen in many cities. Historically, riverfronts are where human culture and economies began, with many early settlements developing along rivers. These areas offer a wide range of services, including recreational spaces, intra- and inter-city navigation, livelihood opportunities (such as fishing and agriculture), religious and cultural connections, tourism promotion, and providing open spaces within the city for environmental benefits.Over time, many urban riverfronts have been neglected, suffering from unsustainable urbanization, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. Most riverfronts have been altered due to poor planning, leading to infrastructure decay and degraded river health. However, these areas hold significant potential for improving urban spaces and quality of life. In response, a need for more robust planning and development has arisen. To develop and regenerate riverfronts effectively, strategies must address several key areas, including ecological restoration, flood prevention, historical and cultural restoration, economic development, recreation and leisure, citizen connect with nature, and livelihood generat…
Publication
Celebrating the Intangible Value of Water
2022
Water holds immense intangible value across almost every country, deeply reflected in the diverse cultures, traditions, festivals, and rituals. This profound significance goes far beyond fulfilling basic human needs and highlights the central role water plays in society. As the saying goes, “What we cherish, we value, and what we value, we protect.” This adage speaks to the fact that leveraging the intangible value of water can serve as a powerful strategy to ensure its responsible use and long-term sustainability. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), has developed a comprehensive knowledge product titled “Celebrat…
Publication
Managing Shallow Aquifers in Cities: A 6-Step Approach
2023
The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is supporting ten cities under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 to advance sustainable shallow aquifer management (SAM) in urban areas. This pioneering initiative addresses the unique and complex challenges of managing shallow aquifers at the city level by adopting a participatory mapping approach that involves local stakeholders, technical experts, and municipal institutions. It is the first time that shallow aquifer management has been implemented at a city-wide scale across India, marking a major step forward in decentralized urban water governance. The participatory process ensures that scientific knowle…
Report
Decentralized and Non-Sewered Wastewater Management for Selected Ganga Towns
2019
The conventional approach to managing wastewater in Indian towns has primarily focused on centralized sewer networks and sewage treatment plants (STPs). While effective in theory, these systems are capital and operation intensive, demand large quantities of water to maintain flow, and are difficult to implement in older or irregularly developed urban areas. Due to topographical constraints and the unregulated spatial growth of towns, it is often unfeasible to achieve 100% coverage through centralized systems alone. As a result, such approaches have struggled to eliminate the problem of untreated wastewater entering rivers, especially the Ganga.Recognizing these limitations, there is growing acceptance of decentralized, non-sewered solutions that collect and treat waste as close to the source of generation as possible. This is especially important in the Ganga basin, where the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has made significant progress in reducing open defecation by promoting toilets with on-site containment. However, if faecal sludge from these toilets is not managed properly, it may further pollute the river instead of improving its condition.Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) offers a decentralized alternative that can effectively complement centralized systems. Despite being technically sound and cost-effective, decentralized wastewater solutions have historically rec…
Report
Decentralized Wastewater Management – Complementing Centralized Solutions for Achieving 100% Sanitation Coverage
2019
The NIUA handbook is a key initiative designed to strengthen the capacities of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), para-state technical agencies, administrators, and urban sector professionals in managing decentralized wastewater systems, particularly focusing on Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) in Ganga towns. Recognizing the growing importance of sustainable and localized sanitation solutions, this handbook has been developed as a critical knowledge resource. It draws upon extensive experience gained from delivering advanced training modules on Integrated Wastewater and Septage Management (IWSM) and FSSM, and consolidates key learning elements, best practices, and actionable insights der…
Report
Policy Brief on the Future of River Management
2020
On 1 May 2020, the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), organized an Ideathon titled “The Future of River Management.” This virtual event was convened in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, using the global crisis as an opportunity to reflect on and rethink traditional approaches to river management. The Ideathon brought together urban planners, environmentalists, policymakers, and water sector experts to brainstorm innovative ideas and strategies for more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable river management. The discussions highlighted the importance of integrating river systems into urban planning, promoting natu…
Report
Eco-friendly Interventions for Riverfront Development
2020
On 1 May 2020, the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), organized an Ideathon titled “The Future of River Management.” Conducted during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ideathon provided a crucial opportunity to reflect on how the global health crisis had drawn attention to the intricate links between human activities, public health systems, and the health of natural ecosystems—particularly riverine environments. The event was envisioned as a platform to examine these interconnections and derive meaningful lessons to guide the future of river management in India.The primary goal of the Ideathon was to use the unique conditions created by the pandemic as a lens through which to explore more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient river management strategies. Participants were encouraged to rethink traditional models of river governance and identify innovative, community-based, and ecologically sound approaches that could be adopted in both the short and long term. By recognizing rivers as dynamic, living systems that are deeply intertwined with the socio-economic fabric of urban life, the Ideathon highlighted the urgent need for integrated planning and river-sensitive urban development.The event brought together a wide range of participants, including urban planners, policy experts, environment…
Publication
Urban Water Body Diagnostic Tool
2022
The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), in collaboration with UNESCO New Delhi, has developed the Urban Water Body Diagnostic Tool, a comprehensive decision support system aimed at assisting city administrators in managing urban water bodies effectively. This innovative tool is designed to assess the condition of water bodies and guide the prioritization of rehabilitation and rejuvenation efforts within urban areas. The tool employs a combination of outcome-based and process-based indicators to evaluate various dimensions of a water body, such as water quality, ecological health, community engagement, and governance structures. These indicators are assigned specific weights using the…
Publication
Toolkit for Preparing City Action Plans for Reuse of Treated Used Water
2024
To support cities in implementing efficient infrastructure for the reuse of treated used water, the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), in collaboration with the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), has developed a comprehensive Toolkit. This Toolkit serves as a step-by-step guide for urban local bodies to assess their current status regarding the generation, treatment, and reuse potential of treated wastewater. It helps cities identify opportunities, gaps, and feasible avenues for integrating treated used water (TUW) into various urban applications such as landscaping, industrial processes, construction, and agriculture. The Toolkit is designed to support data-driven decision-m…
Brochure
Thesis Competition on Re-Imagining Urban Rivers, Season 2
2021
This concept note presents a comprehensive overview of the National Thesis Competition organized jointly by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). Conceptualized as an annual initiative, the competition serves as a strategic platform to engage, inspire, and sensitize emerging professionals—particularly students, researchers, and young practitioners—towards the importance of sustainable urban river management and its integration into broader urban development agendas.Urban rivers across India are under increasing stress due to rapid urbanization, encroachment, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. Addressing these challenges requires innovative, research-backed, and interdisciplinary approaches. The competition encourages participants to develop thesis projects that propose creative, practical, and context-sensitive solutions for river rejuvenation, water-sensitive urban planning, and environmental sustainability. The aim is to foster a generation of professionals who understand the value of rivers as dynamic ecological and cultural assets within urban settings.Thematic areas for the competition include but are not limited to:Integrated urban riverfront development Nature-based solutions for flood management Sustainable wastewater management Groundwater recharge and urban hydrology Community-based river conservatio…
Brochure
URVERS Project Brochure
2019
This brochure presents a comprehensive overview of the URVERS (Urban River Systems) project, emphasizing the pivotal role that rivers play in shaping sustainable and resilient urban environments. Developed through a collaborative, research-driven approach, the URVERS project focuses on integrating river ecosystems into urban planning frameworks, ensuring that rivers are seen not as obstacles but as vital assets to city development. This also highlights a range of key activities undertaken under the project, including pilot studies, stakeholder consultations, policy reviews, and capacity-building workshops. These activities underscore the need for river-sensitive urban planning that aligns e…
Manual
Training Manual – Water Resources Management
2021
The "Water Resources Management" document, created by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), presents key strategies for addressing urban water challenges. It explores the need for an integrated approach to managing water resources, particularly in the face of rapid urban growth and climate change. The report emphasizes water conservation, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management. It proposes innovative solutions like decentralized wastewater systems and rainwater harvesting to improve urban water resilience. Policy frameworks and regulatory measures are highlighted as essential tools for guiding water management practices. The document stresses the importance of community pa…
Manual
Training Manual – Energy Efficient Water Supply System
2021
The "Energy Efficient Water Supply System" document, published by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), focuses on the importance of optimizing energy consumption in urban water supply systems. As cities around the world, particularly in India, face rapid urbanization, the demand for water and the associated energy required to supply it has significantly increased. This growing demand often results in inefficiencies within water supply systems, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and higher operational costs. The document outlines a range of strategies and technological innovations that can help reduce energy use while maintaining an adequate supply of water for urban populations.One of the primary areas of focus in the report is the use of energy-efficient technologies in water supply systems. The document suggests the adoption of advanced pumps, motors, and energy recovery systems that can significantly improve energy efficiency during water extraction, treatment, and distribution. By incorporating energy-efficient equipment and practices, water utilities can reduce their energy consumption, which, in turn, reduces operational costs and the environmental impact of water supply systems. The report also highlights the role of smart technologies, such as real-time monitoring and control systems, that allow utilities to track energy usage and identify inefficienci…
Manual
Training Manual – Energy Efficient Wastewater Management System
2022
The training manual, developed by the Climate Centre for Cities at NIUA, provides a comprehensive guide to water management under the ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework. It aims to equip urban planners, municipal authorities, policymakers, and other stakeholders with essential knowledge and tools for effective water governance in cities. This resource covers a broad spectrum of topics, including water conservation, climate-resilient urban water systems, integrated water resource management, and sustainable drainage solutions. It highlights best practices, relevant case studies, and actionable strategies to improve urban water systems and resilience to climate change. By focusing on cli…
Manual
Training Manual – Wastewater Recycle and Reuse
2022
This training manual, prepared by the Climate Centre for Cities at the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), is a comprehensive guide to sustainable water management, with a particular focus on wastewater recycling and reuse. Developed under the ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework, the manual is designed to support urban planners, municipal authorities, policymakers, and other stakeholders in adopting effective and climate-resilient wastewater strategies. It presents a wide range of topics, including decentralized wastewater treatment systems, emerging reuse technologies, regulatory and institutional frameworks, and case studies of successful practices across Indian cities. Emphas…
Manual
Training Manual – Flood and Water Stagnation Risk Management
2022
The Flood and Water Stagnation Risk Management training manual, prepared by the Climate Centre for Cities (C-Cube) at the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), offers a detailed guide to help Indian cities address the growing risks of urban flooding and water stagnation. Developed under the ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF), this manual is aimed at urban local bodies, municipal officials, city planners, and policy professionals seeking to build flood-resilient infrastructure and systems.It begins by explaining the types and causes of urban flooding—fluvial, pluvial, and coastal—while highlighting how rapid urbanization, poor drainage, and climate variability contribute to the problem. The manual outlines methods for conducting flood risk assessments, mapping vulnerable areas, and establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for emergency response.A key strength of the manual lies in its emphasis on sustainable and nature-based solutions. It advocates for the adoption of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), rejuvenation of water bodies, green-blue infrastructure, and integrated stormwater management to prevent waterlogging. Early Warning Systems (EWS) and data-driven planning approaches are recommended to improve preparedness and reduce response times during flood events.The manual also presents climate-adaptive infrastructure strategies and encourages …