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Student Thesis Competition
Reimagining Urban Rivers
The Student Thesis Competition (STC) on “Re-imagining Urban Rivers” is a national-level thesis competition organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) annually to promulgate river-sensitivity, engage young minds in water-centric research, and inspire seminal solutions for persisting urban river challenges in India.
Since 2019, NIUA and NMCG have been working on a joint initiative to promote river-sensitive urban development in India. This is in response to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call for new thinking in river cities during the 1st Meeting of the National Ganga Council in December 2019. One of the activities under the NIUA-NMCG Urban River Agenda Partnership is to organise a first-of-its-kind National Student Thesis Completion on “Re-imagining Urban Rivers”.
This annual competition aims to harness the intellect and creativity of students to address real-world challenges related to river management. The competition was conceptualised to encourage interdisciplinary participation and collaboration, inviting students to align their academic thesis projects with one of six thematic areas set by the competition. It offers a platform for students to design blue sky and innovative solutions for re-imagining the outlook and management of river systems (water bodies, lakes, ponds, drains, riverfronts, etc.) within Indian cities. Selected students receive sponsorship funding, technical guidance, and mentorship from NIUA and NMCG to conduct their respective research projects.
Find the seminal research papers written by our student finalists here!
Reconnecting the City to its Riverfront: A Case of Kolkata
Rajorshi Banerjee, Masters of Urban Design
Sushant University, Gurugram
Season 1
Kolkata, owes its rich heritage to its strategic location along the Hooghly River, a distributary of the Ganges. Once a vibrant lifeline, the riverfront has languished, marked by dilapidated structures and a disconnect from the city. Recent neglect has turned it into the city’s neglected backyard, resulting in environmental and urban challenges. This research delves into this social disconnect, seeking to revive the lost values of Kolkata’s urban river through cultural and social reawakening. It proposes a framework, a tapestry woven with threads of tradition and contemporary art, to strengthen the city’s bond with its river. By empowering local communities and fostering vibrant public spaces, this vision aims to reclaim Kolkata’s lost jewel, rekindling the magic of the Hooghly and rediscovering the intertwined destiny of the city and its river.
Enhancing the Urban Water Experience – Rejuvenating Kaliasot River, Bhopal
Alvina Habib Khan, Masters in Recreation Architecture
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Season 1
Urban rivers are crucial for city life, yet often face neglect and degradation. This paper explores the challenges of non-perennial rivers like Bhopal’s Kaliasot, a tributary of the Betwa River. It emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to river conservation, focusing on reviving water flow and developing engaging waterfronts. Drawing on existing literature and the Kaliasot case study, the paper proposes strategies for transforming neglected urban rivers into vibrant hubs for social, cultural, and recreational activities. By improving water quality and developing attractive riverfronts, we can reconnect people with these forgotten waterways and restore their ecological and societal value.
Traditional Water Systems of the Cultural Landscape of Govardhan, Mathura
Aman Sharma, Master of Architecture (Conservation)
School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal
Season 1
Nestled in Braj Bhoomi, Govardhan’s 49 kunds weave a story of cultural wisdom and environmental harmony. These sacred ponds, dotting the 21km parikrama path, served as lifelines for communities – quenching thirst, nurturing cattle, and fostering rituals. This research delves into the traditional knowledge behind their design and construction, revealing their role as part of a larger water system in this semi-arid region. Preserving these kunds requires recognizing them as an interconnected symphony of nature and culture, paving the way for future conservation efforts.
The Changing Paradigm of Urban Riverfronts: The Role of Rivers in Mitigation of Urban Heat Island Effect and Climate Change – A Case Study of Delhi
Ritu V. Sharma, Masters in Urban Planning
S.V. National Institute of Technology, Surat
Season 1
This study emphasizes the vital role of rivers in urban environments and addresses challenges faced by urban rivers, particularly in the Ganga basin. Focusing on mitigating Urban Heat Islands (UHI), it proposes a prototype for an effective riverfront that enhances social connections, evaluates ecosystem benefits, and projects a potential value for initial two years. The research aims to guide proactive city planning and government measures to combat climate change’s adverse effects.
The Sombre Case of an Odd Triad — Dolphin, Man and Zoonoses: Revitalisation and Revival of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bihar
Manju Rajeev Kanchan, Masters in Landscape Architecture
School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada
Season 1
This research focuses on zoonotic resilience in urban riverine landscapes, exemplified by the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar. Linking landscape architecture to disease prevention, it proposes a scalable design framework. Emphasizing proactive planning and interdisciplinary collaboration, the approach mimics natural environments to mitigate zoonotic spillover, showcasing the discipline’s potential in curbing infections at early stages for urban health.
Integrated Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case Study of Ayodhya City
Muddukrishna A.S., Masters in Urban Planning
School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi
Season 1
Tourism, once just for leisure, now holds the power to drive comprehensive development across various UN SDGs. This shift demands new approaches like “Destination Development through Tourism.” While existing methods often focus on infrastructure or themed attractions, they lack a holistic view. This paper proposes an integrated, sustainable approach for Ayodhya, considering not just the “5A’s” of tourism (Accessibility, Accommodation, etc.) and the travel trade, but also crucial social and environmental factors. This comprehensive framework aims to ensure Ayodhya’s growth benefits both visitors and residents while protecting its unique heritage and environment.
Revitalization of Urban Livelihood through WaTOD: A case of Jhelum River in Srinagar
Daman Dogra, Bachelor's in Planning
School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal
Season 2
The Water Transit-oriented development (WaTOD) model aims at preparing a development plan by directing importance to water bodies as an element of transit-based growth. The development model under current study recommends on creating a relationship between livelihood and water bodies to create a sense of attachment by converting water into an asset than a barrier.
Planning for Yamuna to mitigate pollution effects of wastewater flow on the river, Delhi
Rupal Srivastava, Bachelor's in Physical Planning
School of Planning and architecture, Delhi
Season 2
One of the most polluted tributaries of the river Ganga is the river, Yamuna. The report attempts to demonstrate the interwoven nature of river water quality and ever-increasing issues related to wastewater, revealing the way each aspect is related to one another. It also attempts to show the potential of Decentralised Wastewater Management along potential of nature-based solutions can be a feasible approach for improving water quality as well as better community liveability with greater social benefits.
Blue-Green Infrastructure Planning for a sustainable development – An opportunity for Tirunelveli
Karpagavalli S, Master's in City Planning
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Season 2
Thamirabarani River Origins from western ghats and travels through Tirunelveli and Tuticorin District for 87 kms length. In the study area, 4.66 km of River stretch is present. Through techno-economical assessment has been carried out in this study to implement Road Improvisation with Blue-Green Elements, Water Channel Improvisation, Riparian Region Regulations & Policies, Riparian Region Regulations & Policies, Constructed Wetlands (VS-SF), Retention Basins.
Strategic spatial planning based on Ecosystem service assessment- a case of Cauvery Watershed region
Arunima K T, Master's in Urban Planning
National Institute of Technology Calicut
Season 2
Administrative boundaries separate the ecosystem or eco-regions, which are intended to be a single entity for government convenience, they can never be considered independently. This thesis aims to develop a workable spatial planning strategy for a watershed region using ecosystem services as a central focus. The study additionally uses the InVEST model and the advanced spatial analysis function of the geographic information system (GIS) for ES spatial mapping.
Integration of Spatial Technology and Citizen Participation for Nature based remediation of River Hooghly
Mrignayani Chandra, Master of Technology in Environmental Engineering
Amity University Noida
Season 2
In need of a sustainable approach to find an environment friendly solution to clean rivers, this study encourages nature-based solution to improve the water quality of our rivers and usage of solar powered boats and biofuels. to promote the citizen involvement in mitigating pollution-based challenges in river, an app UI is built using Flutter Flow to promote cleaning of rivers through an app-based approach. The app is further editable and extendable and shows how an app can be used to make data accessible to citizen and encourage then to clean the river and its bank and contribute to nature.
Reinventing the lost trilogy of Ponds, Natural drains and Ground Water with focus on Shekha Jheel: A case study of Aligarh
Pranav Varshney, Master's in Environmental Planning
School of Planning and Architecture Delhi
Season 2
Aligarh City situated nearly equidistant from river Ganga and river Yamuna in a low-lying depression. The aim of the study was to Formulation of strategies for reinventing the lost trilogy of Ponds, Natural drains and Ground Water for Aligarh city and Shekha Jheel. Ecological, landuse based, citizen engagement and institutional and regulatory mechanism-based approaches are recommended to achieve the aim of study.
Planning for River Sensitive Development in Cities – A Case of Varanasi
Shakchi Singh, Master's in Urban Planning
School of Planning and Architecture Delhi
Season 2
Aim of the study was to create an ecologically sensitive, resilient, recreational space along the Varuna and Assi through urban river regulations for a better biophilic and water sensitive development and growth in the city. Urban River Management Plan Index has been thoroughly used to identify the status quo of eco-friendly riverfront, and social aspects of rivers. Various scenarios have been generated to project the improvements in Assi and Varna River of Varanasi.
Prioritising ‘Urban Drivers’ responsible for river pollution in the Ganga River Basin and revival of the river with effective community engagement through Policy Framework and Effective Community Engagement, case study of Kanpur
Shivalika Arora, Master of Technology in Urban Planning
School of Planning and Architecture Delhi
Season 2
Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process which is a Multi criteria Decision Making Model has been adopted to give the ranking to factors. A ranking framework is developed based on results as to which issues must be addressed first depending upon their level of criticalness. This would also be effective in the budget allocation process. Ultimately a policy framework for the ‘Riparian Zone’ has been proposed. In terms of river rejuvenation, the most vital entity is achieving back the selfcleansing property of river that has been deteriorating. There exists CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zones) but an appropriate policy framework to safeguard the river, restore its lost ecology its in order to seize up the encroachment and construction activities in the riparian zones
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