Adv M Anil Kumar, Mayor, Kochi Municipal Corporation

“The KMC, in collaboration with institutions like IIT, is conducting detailed studies on rainfall patterns to predict future flood-prone areas”

Biley Menon, senior architect, urban planner, and founder of Idea Design

“Reclaiming land for urban expansion has significantly reduced the natural flood absorption capacity of wetlands and backwaters”

Jose Dominic, co-founder and former CEO, CGH Earth 

“To enhance tourist engagement, stakeholders must craft experiences that blend culture with storytelling. We need to be proud of “Kerala Thanima” and market it well”

KJ Sohan, Former Mayor, Kochi Municipal Corporation 

“Urban planning is central to Kochi’s efforts to become a sustainable city. Governance should be decentralised to empower local bodies to manage critical infrastructure” 

On urban flooding and water dynamics

M Anil Kumar: Water has historically been Kochi’s lifeline, shaping its identity as a port city and cultural hub. While it has facilitated trade and tourism, water also poses significant challenges, such as urban flooding during monsoons. To tackle these challenges, the Kochi Municipal Corporation (KMC) is adopting a multi-pronged approach combining scientific studies, technological interventions, and community participation.

The KMC, in collaboration with institutions like IIT, is conducting detailed studies on rainfall patterns to predict future flood-prone areas. This data will guide long-term urban planning to address the challenges posed by global warming and erratic weather patterns. Immediate solutions include rejuvenating Kochi’s extensive canal network. The canal rejuvenation project focuses on clearing silted waterways, restoring natural drainage systems, and ensuring better water flow to minimise flooding.

Nature-based solutions, such as enhancing wetlands and mangroves, are also integral to this plan. These ecosystems act as natural sponges, absorbing excess water during floods. Additionally, modern engineering solutions, including advanced drainage systems and innovative machinery, are being deployed to enhance urban resilience. Public participation is essential for maintaining clean canals and reducing waste dumping into waterways. By prioritising these initiatives, Kochi envisions becoming a flood-resilient city that harmonises development with its natural water systems.

On urban planning and hydrodynamics

Biley Menon: Kochi has an intricate hydrodynamic system that relies on canals, estuaries, and backwaters. The city’s geographic layout as a collection of islands makes it both unique and particularly vulnerable to flooding. Historically, these natural systems managed rainwater and sediment flow, protecting the city from severe flooding. However, human interventions, such as infrastructure projects and urban reclamation, have disrupted this balance. For example, large developments like Willingdon Island and the Vallarpadam Container Terminal have altered natural water flows, causing water stagnation and sediment accumulation. The construction of the container road across the Periyar River delta has further blocked drainage, leading to flooding in previously unaffected areas.

Reclaiming land for urban expansion, such as the Marine Drive area, has significantly reduced the natural flood absorption capacity of wetlands and backwaters. These issues need to be addressed through comprehensive hydrodynamic studies, canal restoration projects, and ecological conservation. These measures would restore Kochi’s waterways, enabling them to handle monsoonal rains effectively while preserving the city’s environmental and urban balance.

On the interconnection between waste management and urban health M Anil Kumar: Kochi’s waste management has seen significant improvements following the Brahmapuram fire incident, which highlighted the urgent need for reforms. Efforts now focus on implementing sustainable practices, such as bio-mining legacy waste, and introducing nature-based solutions like Black Soldier Fly-based composting plants. These facilities can process significant amounts of organic waste daily, reducing landfill dependency. For instance, the upcoming compressed biogas (CBG) plant will process 150 tonnes of waste daily, offering a scalable solution for managing urban waste.

Despite these strides, public awareness and participation remain crucial. Citizens need to segregate waste and reduce dumping in open spaces and waterways. Mismanagement of waste also contributes to secondary issues like the stray dog menace, which affects residents and tourists alike.

To further streamline waste management, Kochi has introduced compactors for transporting waste and decentralized facilities for better processing. By March 2025, open transportation of waste is expected to be eliminated. Combined with efforts to rejuvenate the canal system, which doubles as a drainage and sewage network, these measures aim to transform Kochi into a cleaner, healthier city. Public education campaigns and stricter enforcement of waste disposal regulations are essential to ensure the long-term success of these initiatives.

On waste management and urban waterways

Biley Menon: The canals of Kochi, once vital for transportation and recreation, have been reduced to open drains due to untreated sewage, plastic waste, and construction debris. This pollution has not only degraded the canals but also diminished their ability to manage rainwater, worsening urban flooding. Thousands of households rely on septic tanks, which often overflow into soak pits, contaminating both groundwater and canal water. As a result, the city faces a cycle of water pollution and environmental degradation that impacts public health and urban resilience.

The urban planner suggested integrating waste and water management by introducing decentralized sewage treatment plants along the canal network. These facilities would treat sewage locally, reducing contamination and improving the overall health of the waterways. Restoring the ecological integrity of canals can also address related issues such as the mosquito menace. Cleaner canals would enhance the quality of urban life and support the city’s tourism and economic development.

On tourism potential and challenges and heritage conservation 

Jose Dominic: Kochi’s potential as a global tourism hub lies in its cultural landscape, which blends historical, ecological, and social elements. According to tourism experts, Kochi attracts experiential travellers seeking immersive and authentic experiences. The city’s vibrant pluralism, reflected in its diverse cuisine, architecture, and art forms, resonates with visitors from around the world.

The city’s rich history as a gateway for trade and cultural exchange—evident in landmarks like Fort Kochi, the Chinese fishing nets, and centuries-old spice warehouses—offers vast potential for tourism. To enhance tourist engagement, stakeholders must craft experiences that blend culture with storytelling. We need to be proud of “Kerala Thanima” and market it well. For example, tourists could operate traditional fishing nets, savour unique dishes made from their catch, and explore the tales behind Fort Kochi’s historical buildings.

Kochi’s cultural and historical heritage is central to its identity as a leading tourist destination in Kerala. However, preserving this heritage while accommodating modern development poses a complex challenge. There is a need to integrate heritage conservation with robust urban infrastructure, addressing basics such as water supply, public transportation, and waste management.

The lack of decentralisation in governance, however, hampers the development of tourism infrastructure. The 74th Constitutional Amendment envisaged local bodies managing water supply, waste management, and public transport, but many of these responsibilities still lie with higher government authorities. Empowering municipal corporations to take ownership of such services is vital for preserving heritage and improving visitor experiences.

However, the city faces significant challenges in maintaining its allure. Environmental degradation, such as polluted backwaters and increasing urbanization, threatens Kochi’s appeal. Reports like the Fodor’s Guide listing Kerala as a “no-go destination” highlight the urgent need for responsible development. Tourism-related waste, reckless infrastructure projects, and poor waste management were cited as contributing factors.

The city’s success also hinges on its ability to cater to modern travellers. This includes creating more structured itineraries, improving public safety, and leveraging its culinary and ecological assets. For example, experiences like guided tours of spice markets, culinary workshops, and eco-tours of the backwaters could enrich

Kochi’s tourism offerings. By embracing its strengths and addressing weaknesses, Kochi can retain its status as a must-visit destination.

On the role of urban planning in sustainable development

KJ Sohan: Urban planning is central to Kochi’s efforts to become a sustainable city. Governance should be decentralised to empower local bodies to manage critical infrastructure. Currently, issues like water supply, canal maintenance, and sewage treatment fall under state departments, leaving the municipal corporation with limited control. This lack of accountability hampers the implementation of sustainable solutions.

One proposed solution is decentralising water and sewage systems. For instance, only five per cent of Kochi currently has access to a sewage system. Expanding coverage with decentralised treatment plants linked to the canal network can reduce water contamination and health risks. Public transport is another area ripe for transformation. Investing heavily in metro systems while ignoring affordable and sustainable alternatives like buses and ferries is an inefficient approach.

Kochi also needs to address urban sprawl and silted backwaters caused by unchecked reclamation projects. These actions have reduced the city’s natural capacity to absorb floods, leading to frequent urban flooding. Restoring the ecological balance of the backwaters and wetlands is essential for sustainable urban planning.

Collaborative efforts among government bodies, urban planners, and residents can create a future-ready city. Implementing the recommendations of studies like the GIS survey, which found 80 per cent of groundwater contaminated, can improve public health and urban resilience.

On protecting wetlands and CRZ compliance

Biley Menon: Wetlands are critical to Kochi’s environmental resilience, serving as natural water storage systems that absorb excess rainwater and mitigate flooding.

However, rapid urban development has encroached upon these ecosystems, reducing their capacity to manage water effectively. Significant wetland areas have been lost to reclamation projects for urban expansion, such as those for the Vallarpadam Terminal and other large-scale developments.

Wetlands must be preserved with strict enforcement of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) laws. These laws protect ecologically sensitive zones from unregulated construction and development. Efforts must focus on reclaiming and restoring degraded wetlands, as well as preventing further encroachments. The integration of wetland conservation into urban planning is essential to balance ecological preservation with urban growth. By revitalising its wetlands, Kochi can enhance its flood management capacity, support biodiversity, and secure a sustainable future for its residents and visitors.

Public transport and sustainable urban mobility and a sustainable future

KJ Sohan: Another critical area of urban planning is public transportation. The Kochi Metro, though a symbol of progress, fails to address the city’s broader mobility needs due to its limited coverage and high operational costs. In contrast, the city has neglected to invest adequately in enhancing bus networks and ferries—systems that could provide a cost-effective and accessible mode of transport for residents.

A comprehensive transport plan developed earlier by RITES highlighted the potential of an integrated system of buses and water-based transport, which could reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Experts argued that a more equitable distribution of resources toward these sustainable solutions could revolutionise public transport in Kochi. Encouraging transit-oriented development (TOD) through localised plans would also discourage the proliferation of private vehicles, reducing urban sprawl and associated environmental degradation.

Collaborative action for a sustainable future

KJ Sohan: A sustainable future for Kochi requires collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including government bodies, urban planners, and residents. Public awareness and participation are critical to the success of urban planning initiatives. Kochi’s residents must be engaged in efforts to reduce waste, protect water resources, and support sustainable transportation options. 

Ultimately, Kochi’s transformation into a sustainable city depends on a balanced approach that integrates modern infrastructure with ecological preservation. Addressing systemic governance issues, enhancing public transportation, and restoring the city’s natural ecosystems can create a future-ready city that meets the needs of its residents while safeguarding its environmental and cultural heritage.