COPS: A COmPlex Systems Approach to Peri-urban Development for Climate Resilience and Just Futures

Using Chennai city as a case study, this project will develop a socio-spatial network model that will describe peri-urbanization and climate change interdependencies as a complex adaptive system

COPS: A COmPlex Systems Approach to Peri-urban Development for Climate Resilience and Just Futures in the Global South deals with the dynamic interaction of agricultural, urban and the ecological systemsm in the peri-urban interface. Cities in the global South are fast expanding, and the outward expansion has led to changing land use and occupations creating peri-urban areas, where urban and rural activities and /or institutions are juxtaposed. At this interface, sensitive planning that facilitates just transition to sustainability can potentially play a critical role in climate resilience. Unfortunately, due to the complex and largely unplanned nature of peri-urbanization along with lack of planning and policy attention in India, they instead become precarious regions which are vulnerable to climate risks and inequity.

Using Chennai city as a case study, this project will employ systems thinking to develop a socio-spatial network model to delineate the interdependency and interrelationships of climate change risk and resilience and peri-urbanization. The project outcome will offer critical insights to peri-urban planning and development for climate resilience and just transitions in the global South context.

Image Credit: SuSanA Secretariat 

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