Integrated Blue-Green Infrastructure in Stormwater Management for Indore city

Abstract

This thesis develops an integrated Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) planning framework for sustainable urban stormwater management in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, with particular emphasis on the Kanh–Saraswati River corridor and the Smart City Area-Based Development zone. The study responds to recurrent urban flooding, drainage inefficiency, river pollution, loss of blue-green spaces, and institutional fragmentation through a multiscale approach combining GIS-based spatial analysis, hydrological assessment, remote sensing, and policy review. The research adopts a convergent mixed-methods design and examines Indore at three nested scales: city, corridor, and precinct. It uses land use and land cover analysis, flood vulnerability mapping, environmental assessment, and suitable locations for BGI interventions. The study also evaluates BGI typologies such as bioswales, rain gardens, permeable pavements, constructed wetlands, and riverfront restoration measures to support runoff reduction, groundwater recharge, microclimate improvement, and ecological connectivity. The thesis further proposes policy, institutional, and financial mechanisms to support implementation, including improved coordination among agencies, design guideline integration. The outcome is an actionable, Indore-specific framework that links stormwater management with urban resilience, river rejuvenation, and climate-sensitive urban design. The study is intended to contribute both to academic understanding and to practical planning for tier-2 Indian cities facing similar environmental challenges.