Abstract
Bhopal is a tier 2 city at the heart of India. The initial settlement began in 11th Century and its evolution spread over centuries had a marked synchronization with the region’s ecology. The city planning vision and approach have been centralized around contextual ecology complementing the ecosystem. Skeletal transit networks are stitched to the city’s distinct topography. Inventive terrain management has resulted in a robust cascading wetland system. Sensitive land use plans for the city have ensured a healthy retainment of watersheds. The intricate systematic layering of human planning and ecological aspects make Bhopal city a visionary urban settlement. The city witnessed a major industrial disaster in the form of Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984. The was a gas leak at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant. The sudden damage to the city lead to a near collapse of its fundamental systems. The severe shocks and stresses to the urban metabolism had a drastic impact on the city’s functioning. Harmful contamination spread through air, water and soil. Its impact posed long term consequences for the ill-health of the ecology of the city. However, the holistic and cohesive city structure and ecosystem imparted a latent robustness to the city. There was a steady recuperation of the city’s core wetlands, catchment contamination, biodiversity loss, and subsequent ecological deterioration. Bhopal is known today as the City of Lakes in Central India, with a flourishing biodiversity, expansive natural parks, and healthy city life. This paper examines the city’s response to an industrial catastrophe and the role of its ecosystem in increasing and safeguarding its resilience and recovery. It also explores the leveraging of a holistic planning approach to create and maintain a sustainable city.
