Urban Kaleidoscope – 4th Edition
Riverfront Development: Implication, Challenges and Way Ahead
Human settlements have historically flourished near water bodies due to their essential resources. With rapid urbanization, the dependency on rivers has intensified, leading to their degradation. Riverfront development, aimed at beautifying urban landscapes and generating revenue, significantly impacts socio-economic conditions and the environment. In India, these projects are widespread, necessitating a closer examination of their effects.
The contemporary communities who have traditional livelihoods such as fishing and farming were marginalised during the development process and riverfront development had a severe impact on the life of people. The economic benefits of such projects are unevenly distributed, frequently favoring private corporations over local communities. Although these developments generate revenue and create jobs, the new employment opportunities may not align with the skills of displaced populations, exacerbating socio-economic disparities. Additionally, these projects can erode cultural and spiritual practices tied to rivers, weakening social cohesion and community networks.
The environmental impacts of riverfront development are equally significant. Construction activities can destroy habitats, affecting aquatic life and other wildlife. Altered river flows disrupt ecological processes, endangering species that rely on the river ecosystem. Increased construction and human activity contribute to pollution, degrading water quality and harming both human and ecological health. The pollution, often from construction runoff and increased waste, has cascading effects on both human communities and the natural environment.
Given these challenges, there is a pressing need for comprehensive research to fully understand the impacts of riverfront development. The objective of the journal includes documenting the experiences of displaced communities and analysing changes in livelihoods and economic opportunities. Environmental research should focus on monitoring biodiversity and ecological changes, as well as studying pollution effects on water quality and aquatic life. Additionally, investigating planning and funding mechanisms can help identify best practices for sustainable and inclusive development.
We invite researchers and planners to submit articles examining the historical contexts, conflicts, and issues related to riverfront development. Submissions should provide in-depth analysis and actionable recommendations for balancing development with community needs and environmental conservation.
We Seek Contributions From:
– Activists, community organisers, researchers, practitioners, planners and academics who can provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between water and urban environments.
– Citizen writers and artists who wish to share their stories, experiences, and creative expressions related to governance and the city.
Submission Guidelines:
- Submissions should be compiled in the following order: Title including author name; abstract (150 words) and keywords; introduction and methodology; main body with findings and then discussion. Avoid attaching links to in-text citations (as appropriate) and all the figure/table captions accurately sourced.
- Submissions must follow British English, typed in double-spaced A4 page layout with Times New Roman font style (size 12). The article should have accurate Referencing in APA format.
- Word count should be between 1500 and 2000, inclusive of the abstract, footnotes, tables, figure captions, footnotes and appendices.
- Contributions should not have been published elsewhere, but we operate under a copyleft ethos, allowing articles to be republished elsewhere with author-contributors’ permission.
Deadline for submission:
Please submit your contributions to urbankaleidoscopeprc@gmail.com by August 20th, 2024.
