Water-Sensitive Urban Planning Strategies for Greater Chennai Corporation

Aakhila Fathima A1 , Prof. Thasneem Kahar2

1Student, S4 MPLAN (M24MUP01), Department of Urban Planning, 2024-26

2Guide, Department of Urban Planning

Abstract - Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) faces recurring urban flooding, drought cycles, and fragmented water infrastructure across its 426 km² jurisdiction serving over 7 million residents. This paper examines water-sensitive urban planning (WSUP) strategies for stormwater management in high-risk flood zones of GCC. Through primary surveys (n=50 households; n=22 stakeholders), secondary data analysis, literature review, and spatial analysis of 5-year and 10-year flood return period maps, this study identifies key flood vulnerability drivers including unscientific grey drain design, institutional fragmentation between GCC and CMWSSB, wetland loss, and rapid urbanization. Five integrated WSUD proposals are presented: a multi-scalar blue-green infrastructure framework, a citywide sponge park network, a restored tank-canal chain for macro-drainage revival, permeable neighbourhood retrofits, and wetland buffer protection as an ecological conservation corridor. Drawing from global precedents including Singapore's ABC Waters Programme, China's Sponge City strategy, and Lisbon's Drainage Master Plan, the proposals are adapted to Chennai's tropical monsoon context. Findings demonstrate that integrating nature-based solutions with existing grey infrastructure can reduce peak runoff by 30–70%, improve groundwater recharge, and build long-term flood-drought resilience for one of India's most flood-vulnerable megacities.Key Words: Water-Sensitive Urban Design, Stormwater Management, Urban Flooding, Greater Chennai Corporation, Blue-Green Infrastructure, Sponge City, Nature-Based Solutions, Flood Resilience, WSUD, Urban Planning