Assessing Criteria and Indicators of Sustainability: A Case of Urban and Peri - Urban Water Bodies and Wetlands in Indian Cities
- Vol. 14(04), October-December
- New Delhi Institute of Town Planners 2017
- 31-47
Urban and peri - urban water bodies and wetlands, though being significant elements of the city’s infrastructure, lack of relevant policies for implementation are contributing to their rampant abuse and decline. The city of Kolkata and its environs are endowed with numerous water bodies and wetlands, many of which, other than performing “ecosystem services” are also additionally contributing to recreation and human well-being. This paper attempts to assess the sustainability of five such case study sites from urban and peri - urban Kolkata on the basis of some major criteria and indicators and recommends relevant policies for sustainability of fragile ecosystems in urban settings.