Climate-responsive Mysuru needs blue-green infrastructure, says VC

Vice-Chancellor of University of Mysore N. K. Lokanath on Tuesday said Mysuru must embrace Blue-Green Infrastructure to become a climate-responsive city and ensure sustainable urban development.

Speaking at a workshop on “Strategies for improving Blue-Green network in Urban Areas” organised by the School of Planning and Architecture, University of Mysore and Institute of Town Planners, Karnataka chapter and the Mysuru Centre here, he stressed that the city’s future development should focus on transforming Mysuru into a green, resilient, inclusive and climate-responsive city while preserving its heritage character and ecological wealth.

Mr. Loknath said the rapid transformation of cities has brought several concerns, including shrinking green cover, pressure on water resources, biodiversity loss, urban heat island effects and increasing climate vulnerability. Therefore, urban planning today must adopt a holistic approach where natural systems become an integral part of city development, he argued.

A key theme of the discussions was the adoption of Blue-Green infrastructure towards sustainable urban development. Protecting lakes, strengthening urban forests, improving public open spaces and promoting nature-based solutions were identified as crucial measures to enhance urban resilience, he stated.

He said Mysuru offers a unique model for sustainable urban planning due to its rich environmental assets, including lakes, urban forests, parks, institutional green spaces, and open spaces. However, these resources require greater protection, improved connectivity and equitable public access, he added.

The workshop also underscored the role of academic institutions in addressing environmental challenges. The University of Mysore was cited as an example of how higher education institutions can contribute through research, innovation and capacity building.

Mr. Loknath emphasised that environmental sustainability cannot be achieved by any single organisation and called for stronger coordination with collective responsibility. He urged institutions such as the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) and universities to work together in generating research, creating awareness and developing practical solutions for sustainable urban development.

Expressing confidence that the deliberations would result in actionable recommendations, he said the outcomes should inform policymakers, practitioners and citizens and contribute to building a more sustainable future for Mysuru and other cities.

Regional Commissioner and MCC Administrator Nitesh Patil, who was the chief guest, also addressed the gathering.

Prof. B. Shankar of ITPI, Mysuru centre, K. N. Narayana Gowda, chairman, Karnataka Regional chapter, Bengaluru, ITPI Council members S. B. Honnur and N. Sridharan were present.