Urban blue-green conundrum: a 10-city study on the impacts of urbanization on natural infrastructure in India

Urbanization in India consumes ecologically sensitive zones, natural infrastructure, and permeable open sources to create developed, saleable land. This study uses open-source, high resolution satellite imagery to estimate the changes in spatial extent of built-up areas and natural infrastructure such as blue cover (water bodies), green cover, and permeable open space across India’s most populated cities. In addition, the impact on groundwater recharge is estimated from the conversion of natural spaces with higher recharge potential to concretized surfaces with lower recharge potential. This paper discusses impacts of urbanization on natural infrastructure in India’s 10 most populated. Urbanisation today is disconnected from the natural environment causing negative outcomes, such as water scarcity, increased groundwater stress, and urban flooding. Using scientific evidence to accurately identify the correlations between urbanization, loss of natural infrastructure, and increasing climate shocks and stresses can enable the state and municipal authorities to strengthen urban planning and development in the future.