Water strategy may be key in Resilient Cities plan for B'luru

Michael Berkowitz, managing director of 100 Resilient Cities (RC) project of the US-based Rockefeller Foundation, on Wednesday said a Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) would be appointed for each of these cities and entrusted the responsibility of co-ordination with various agencies.

Bengaluru is one among the 100 cities across the world that have been selected by the Rockefeller Foundation as part of its $100-million project that will help build resilience to social, economic and physical challenges.

Participating in a presentation on the 100 RC project at the BBMP head office, Berkowitz said experts from either government or private sector would be chosen to work as the CRO.

He said that under the 100 RC project, six months would be given to design the city’s policy. There have been numerous sessions with the BBMP in this regard. There would be another in April 2015. “At least 70 per cent of the population would migrate to urban areas by 2050. This would, in turn, increase the problems in cities,” he observed.

Water crisis could be the chosen topic for Bengaluru to be improved under the 100 RC project, HSR Layout corporator Latha Narasimha Murthy said during the presentation.

“One of the major issues that the City is battling is shortage of water. We are contemplating on choosing this as an issue that can be addressed under the project. A discussion would be held with all corporators and a call would be taken,” she said. In fact, the official website of the 100 RC states, “Even with regular monsoon rains, Bengaluru struggles with water shortages. Officials have warned that a worsening of the water supply situation could lead to evacuations or even abandonment of parts of the City. Bengaluru has already launched both regular desilting projects and public awareness campaigns, but the City needs to develop a comprehensive water supply and recovery strategy.”

M Lakshminarayana, BBMP Commissioner, said, “The Central government is planning smart cities. Bengaluru is being funded under various schemes.Now, the City is also selected among resilient cities. With this, a number of issues could soon be sorted out.”  
DH News Service