Exposure Visit to New Delhi
November 21, 2025
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Knowledge Products: Case Studies
The Practice of Sustainable Urban Sanitation: Learnings from Nine Indian Cities
The Practice of Sustainable Urban Sanitation: Learnings from Nine Indian Cities explores diverse approaches to the management of faecal sludge and wastewater across India. Conducted under the National Institute of Urban Affairs’ Inter-Disciplinary Urban Sanitation Research programme, the study captures on-ground innovations shaping urban sanitation. Spanning nine cities—Devanahalli, Unjha, Alappuzha, Tumakuru, Rajkot, Thiruvananthapuram, Dhanbad, Bengaluru, and Chennai—the report highlights a range of city-specific interventions, reuse practices, and implementation challenges. By identifying gaps and documenting effective solutions, the study offers
practical insights and policy recommendations to advance safe, inclusive, and sustainable urban sanitation in India.
Strategy and Investment Plan of FSSM in Uttarakhand
With nearly 80% of its urban population relying on on-site sanitation systems, Uttarakhand faces a critical need for effective management of faecal sludge and septage. Building on key milestones—including the Septage Management Protocol (2017), ODF status, and ongoing efforts under the National Mission for Clean Ganga—the state is advancing toward Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS). This Strategy and Investment Plan for FSSM outlines a comprehensive roadmap tailored to Uttarakhand’s unique mountainous context, focusing on co-treatment at STPs, development of treatment infrastructure, and scalable solutions to strengthen sanitation systems across the state.
Co-treatment of Septage at STPs of Ganga towns in Uttarakhand
To strengthen faecal sludge management in Uttarakhand, the State Programme Management Group (SPMG) commissioned the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee to assess the feasibility of co-treating septage at existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Ganga towns. The study evaluates how much septage can be safely integrated into operational STPs without affecting effluent quality. Through field assessments, sampling, and analysis of key parameters such as COD, BOD, and TSS, it highlights the highly concentrated nature of septage in the region due to infrequent desludging. Based on these findings, the report outlines data-driven strategies to optimise co-treatment, improve plant performance, and enable more sustainable wastewater management across Ganga towns.
Wastewater Management in Jaipur
Effective wastewater management is an increasing challenge for urban India, driven by rising water consumption and expanding sanitation coverage under national initiatives. In Jaipur, these pressures have led to significant investments in centralised sanitation systems, supported by state policies such as the State Sewerage and Waste Water Policy (2016) and the Faecal Sludge and Septage Management Policy (2017). This study reviews the performance of Jaipur’s centralised wastewater systems, assessing their efficiency, alignment with policy standards, and overall impact. It also explores opportunities for integrating decentralised solutions to enhance sustainability and improve wastewater management outcomes in the city.
Untold Stories from the Himalayas: 20 Solutions for Water and Waste Management
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), home to nearly 1.9 billion people, is a vital yet fragile region facing growing challenges from climate change, rapid urbanisation, and environmental degradation. Untold Stories from the Himalaya: 20 Solutions for Water and Waste Management, developed by the National Institute of Urban Affairs in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, showcases innovative and scalable solutions from across Bhutan, India, and Nepal. Highlighting community-driven approaches, technological innovations, and sustainable
practices, the compendium serves as a practical resource to inspire resilient and inclusive water and waste management across mountain regions.
Database of Nature-based Solutions in Bhubaneswar
This document presents a Database of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in Bhubaneswar, developed under the EPIC project, which identifies and analyses key urban flooding hotspots in the city based on field assessments, risk mapping, and community inputs following recurrent monsoon flooding. From an initial set of flood-prone locations, selected sites were studied in detail to understand flooding patterns, land use, drainage conditions, and surrounding ecosystems, leading to the proposal of site-specific nature-based and ecosystem-based adaptation interventions such as sponge parks, constructed wetlands, drain restoration, riparian buffers, and blue-green public spaces. The database serves as a practical planning resource to support climate-resilient urban water management, flood risk reduction, and sustainable urban development in Bhubaneswar.
Ecosystem Evaluations of Three Ecosystems in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
This study, conducted under the “Proliferating Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Practices in Indian Cities” (EPIC) project supported by the Global EbA Fund, assesses the ecological, socio-cultural, and economic value of three key urban ecosystems in Bhubaneswar: Bindusagar Lake, Jaidev Vatika, and a wetland. As part of the EPIC project’s efforts to demonstrate the economic valuation of urban ecosystems, the study engaged 769 stakeholders—including residents, visitors, and informal workers—to capture diverse perspectives on ecosystem use, benefits, and conservation needs.
Using a comprehensive mixed-methods approach, the research integrates quantitative and qualitative data to provide a holistic understanding of how these urban commons function within the city’s ecological and social landscape. The findings aim to inform urban planning and climate resilience strategies, highlighting the role of nature-based solutions in enhancing ecosystem protection and sustainable urban development in Bhubaneswar.
Strategy for Flood Management in Bhubaneswar City using Nature-based Solutions
This strategy document presents nature-based solutions for managing urban flooding in Bhubaneswar, developed under the “Proliferating Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Practices in Indian Cities” (EPIC) project, supported by the Global EbA Fund.
Bhubaneswar, selected as the pilot city, underwent a detailed baseline assessment to identify flood hotspots and vulnerable areas. Simultaneously, the city’s natural ecosystems were mapped to assess their potential in mitigating flood risks. Based on this analysis, targeted nature-based interventions were designed for twelve critical locations. The document provides a comprehensive account of the methodology and process used to integrate ecosystem-based solutions into the city’s flood management strategy, offering a practical roadmap for urban resilience planning.
Climate Change Adaptation: Leveraging Urban Ecosystems in Bhubaneswar
This document presents a comprehensive compilation of thematic maps aimed at supporting the strategic use of urban ecosystems for climate change adaptation in the city of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It analyzes patterns of urban development and growth in relation to key climate change impacts, with a particular focus on urban heat stress and urban flooding. Through spatial analysis, the document highlights how different forms of urbanization interact with natural systems and influence climate vulnerability. Each urban ecosystem is described in detail, outlining its characteristics and the range of ecosystem services it provides, such as temperature regulation, flood mitigation, and environmental resilience, thereby emphasizing their role in sustainable urban planning and climate-responsive development. This publication has been prepared under the project “Proliferating Ecosystem-based Adaptation Practices in Indian cities (EPIC)” supported by the Global EbA Fund.
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