Proliferating EbA Practices in Indian Cities (EPIC)

The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), under India’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), implemented the EPIC project in Bhubaneswar, a city characterised by diverse urban ecosystems, following an assessment of 100 Indian Smart Cities.

The EPIC project aimed to address two major climate-related challenges that affect the city and most urban areas in India: water scarcity and urban flooding. The overall vision of this project was to create an enabling environment for mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaption (EbA) into Bhubaneswar’s water management strategy, while building a strong case for replicating this approach in other cities.

EbA is centred around leveraging nature-based solutions for the restoration of degraded ecosystems, and their conservation for sustainable management that can help cities to adapt to climate change. Traditionally, cities in India have relied solely on engineering solutions for water management. EPIC sought to shift this narrative by demonstrating how EbA can provide a robust and sustainable approach for water management. Engaging local communities who have lived in the city for generations and have a wealth of knowledge on traditional practices for water management was a key component of the project.

Specific objectives:

• Sensitize key stakeholders on the value and role ecosystems can play in supporting climate change adaptation in urban water management.
• Demonstrate evidence-based EbA approaches, highlighting locally-relevant practices.
• Develop knowledge products showcasing the role of EbA in mitigating urban flooding and reducing water scarcity for other similar cities.

Key activities implemented under the program included:

• Hazard and Vulnerability Mapping: A city-wide vulnerability map was conducted to identify wards prone to flooding and water scarcity, along with the most vulnerable communities. The resulting vulnerability map is being used by the municipality to prepare the city’s 2040 development plan.
• Ecosystems and Biodiversity Mapping: A detailed map depicting the status of urban ecosystems and biodiversity-rich areas, as well as areas of degradation, were mapped through consultations with a city expert group comprised of government officials, academia, NGOs, and biodiversity specialists.
• Valuation of Ecosystems: Three urban ecosystems were examined through mapping, site visits, and stakeholder consultations. A valuation framework and survey tools were developed, and data collected from 769 respondents, including residents, visitors, water users, fisherfolk, hawkers, shop owners, and informal workers such as cattle grazers.
• Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Database: Sites with critical urban flooding were identified and a set of NbS interventions was proposed. Along with this, a city-level NbS strategy was also developed for Bhubaneswar, recommending:
  • Protection of eco-sensitive zones
  • Strengthening natural drainage systems
  • Reimagining blue-green open spaces
  • Adoption of low-impact development

Project Achievements

1. Convened a High-Level Symposium Showcasing Urban NbS Innovation: A symposium titled “Multi-dimensional Approaches for Integrated Urban Water Management in India: from Data Driven Decision-making to Nature-based Solutions” was organized (15 – 17 May 2025) in New Delhi. The event brought together around 200 participants, representing a diverse group of stakeholders including city officials. Organized in collaboration with the River Cities alliance (RCA) (formed jointly by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and UNESCO India), the symposium facilitated discussion on planning, financing, and governance dimensions of NbS. A major highlight was the launch of Bhubaneswar’s City Strategy for Integrating Nature-based Solutions for Urban Flooding Management, developed with the Global EbA Fund.

2. Strengthened Stakeholder Capacity for Urban EbA Integration: Key stakeholders in Bhubaneswar were sensitized on the role of EbA in strengthening climate-resilient urban water management systems. This capacity now supports the integration of EbA in upcoming planning initiatives like city development plans and master plans for addressing water scarcity and urban flooding.

3. Developed Comprehensive Knowledge Products for Policy Influence: Several knowledge products were produced to support national and state-level policy discussion on mainstreaming EbA into urban development, including:

• • Bhubaneswar City Strategy: integrating NbS into urban planning to reduce flooding
  • Manual on Ecosystem Valuation: a framework supported by evidence-based research
  • Atlas of Ecosystems in Bhubaneswar
  • Videos: Based on the project learnings, videos were produced on the following themes: (a) about the EPIC project, (b) ecosystem services valuation of the three ecosystems, (c) NbS to reduce urban flooding in Bhubaneswar
  • Compendium of Case Studies: international and national case studies applicable to Indian cities in different geoclimatic zones like in coastal areas, mountainous regions, desert areas, etc.

4. Produced a City-Level Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Assessment: A detailed urban flood vulnerability assessment and site-specific NbS database were created to inform the city’s drainage plan and guide the adoption of NbS for reducing urban plan.

5. Conducted Evidence-Based Valuation: The project carried out a full valuation of three urban ecosystems: water body, marshland and urban forest.