Indian Urban Development and Public Policy Discussion

[Cyrano]

Couriously, N°1 spot Hotan is in Xinjiang near Tibet, was called Gosthana in ancient times. Has a large PLAAF airbase. Why does Hotan have so much pollution, so far away from mainland coast mfg hubs?!! Apparently largely due to desert sandstorms that increase greatly suspended particulate matter (PM) in the air.

SPM a major cause of visible pollution in India as well, our semi-arid climate and low green cover kicks up enormous amounts of dust (containing organic & inorganic matter) in and outside cities. This website reports data on PM 2.5 and SPM10 - presumably 2.5 microns and 10 microns thick particles, and also on O3 - Ozone, NO2 - Nitrogen di oxide, SO2 - Sulphur Dioxide and CO - Carbon monoxide. PM may be unsightly, coat everything with dust, cause irritations and asthmas etc, but the other gases are more potent killers over time. These gases mostly come from automobiles and industries.

I couldn't make out if this ranking focuses only on PM2.5 or combines all the above for a composite score, with what weightages assigned to each. The website doesnt specify the data collection and analysis methods. Also its a pity one cant rank cities on other parameters and see.

Not so say India is any less polluted than it really is, but a mere SPM based index is misleading. This website is a bit dubious in its purpose since it doesn't clarify its data sources or its scientific methodology.

Oh wait, its a front for a business that sells air purifiers - thats why it focuses only on PM. With the Swiss cross in the logo triggering subconscious images of beautiful Swiss mountain's clean air and scare you to death with orange and read colours for your cities to sell cheap made in China air purifiers (basically a low power fan + filter).

Clever thinly disguised marketing

Caveat emptor !!

[Haresh]

The floor is lava

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CLIMAT ... pormdkevd/

Athens tackles heat and pollution with pocket-sized parks

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gree ... SKBN2B320F

[Manish_P]

...

Athens tackles heat and pollution with pocket-sized parks

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gree ... SKBN2B320F

Few cities in India (via the municipal corporation funding and legislation) are trying the Miyakawi method

https://www.creatingtomorrowsforests.co ... ng-forests

Mumbai city - A mini-forest boom is taking over Mumbai. It’s called Miyawaki, Delhi is rushing in too

In January this year, BMC issued an order directing all real estate developments over 10,000 square metres to reserve five per cent of their space for Miyawaki plantations.

Another article from Mumbai - Two Years On, Miyawaki Forest In Mumbai Is Showing The Way For Other Cities On Urban Jungles

[tandav]

Pertinent to the Urban Forestry Discussion. Here is an interesting concept that integrates human spaces with miyawaki type forestry called Peacock Ecocity that operates with a nature first principle.

The central green space is surrounded by human built spaces. The central recycling forest provides the following ecosystem services to the community 1) Rainwater harvesting 2) Mitigates Urban Heat Island Effects via transpirational cooling 3) Treats and recycles waste water 4) Treats and recycles biodegradable solid waste 5) Provides dust abatement by leaves of the foliage 6) Provides a ecosystem for small arboreal wildlife such as squirrels, rabbits, peacocks, pheasant, parrots, foxes. 7) Provides a natural recreation space for the residents



An example of a project using the concept has been executed by Panchshil Realty in Pune
https://www.panchshil.com/yoopune/