P. Gopala Krishnan, MD, Southeast Asia and Middle East, GBCI
Adaptive Design
Adaptive design helps infrastructure respond and evolve alongside increasing environmental pressures. By adding flexibility through modular materials, data-connectivity, and mixed “green-gray” systems, it offers several advantages:- Lower lifetime costs, as prevented failures and reduced energy use, make up for initial expenses.
- Better public health, as cooler temperatures and cleaner air lead to fewer heat-related illnesses.
- Quicker bounce-back after disasters, smart systems help in planning ahead instead of just reacting.
Nature-Based and Hybrid Solutions in Action
In Kolkata, municipal officials recently unveiled a new Climate Action Plan, a “survival plan” which includes 60 sectoral recommendations, with 30 earmarked for immediate activation. These range from white reflective roads and green public spaces to ward-level weather stations and clean-air zones. Such integration of nature-based and smart interventions is critical, given that more than 75% of India’s population resides in districts highly vulnerable to extreme hydro-meteorological events.In Mumbai, adaptive design through nature-based solutions is gaining ground with measurable results. According to Maharashtra’s state forest department, mangrove cover in the region has risen from 186 km² in 2012 to 320 km² in 2022, reflecting both restoration and protective efforts. Urban authorities are piloting permeable concrete pavement blocks in Delhi, India’s first trials which have shown the capacity to capture, treat, and recharge stormwater, significantly mitigating monsoon flood risks.
India’s reach of adaptive design extends beyond cities. Through the Infrastructure for Climate Resilient Growth (ICRG) project, over 900 climate-resilient infrastructure assets from roads and check dams to culverts were built in 22 districts across 3 Indian states, entirely by “barefoot engineers” living in remote rural communities. Over 10,000 locals have been trained to build and maintain these projects, effectively creating climate-ready rural roads and water systems without dependence on external contractors.
By aligning engineering excellence with ecological wisdom and digital foresight, our infrastructure can become the foundation of a climate-resilient, equitable future.
P. Gopala Krishnan
Early Warning Systems
Digital innovations are fortifying adaptive design further. Ahmedabad is now piloting wearables in urban slums to monitor physiological signs during heat waves. Simultaneously, sensor networks in cities such as Lucknow and Kolkata continuously track temperature, humidity, and air quality, enabling real-time alerts to residents. At a national level, scientists warn that oppressive, high-humidity heatwaves could increase fivefold by the century’s end under 1.5°C warming, highlighting the need for anticipatory systems.Policy and Investment to Scale Resilience
Funding for adaptation is accelerating. Mumbai’s 2025–26 budget allocates Rs 16,321 crore (37.8% of capital expenditure) to climate-focused projects, including water harvesting, waste management, and flood protection—up from Rs 10,224 crore in the previous year. At the national level, programmes such as the Smart Cities Mission, NDMA heatwave protocols, and NDC-linked frameworks are increasingly embedding adaptive design within regulatory systems.In May 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) initiated a revision of the National Building Code (NBC) to incorporate resilience against climate hazards, covering wind, seismic events, and sustainability norms like solar design and energy efficiency. This update includes provisions for climate-adaptive pavements, flood-resistant plinths, and renewable-energy-ready rooftops, signaling institutional mainstreaming of adaptive planning.
However, gaps remain especially in smaller towns and rural areas, where data is limited and technical capacity is low. Closing this gap requires “no-regret” solutions such as elevated roads, passive ventilation systems, and rainwater gardens deployable even without full climate forecasting. Enhancing community awareness and capacity through local champions and NGO partnerships, Ahmedabad’s HAP further grounds resilience in a societal context.
The Road Ahead: Mainstreaming Resilient Design
India stands at a decisive juncture. With urbanisation racing forward and climate risks intensifying, embedding adaptive design into every new infrastructure project is not optional—it is essential. Achieving this requires:- Institutional restructuring: Cities must create cross-department resilience cells and integrate adaptive design training into engineering curricula.
- Standardizing real-time monitoring: Bringing sensor networks online in Tier-II and rural areas to inform locally responsive signals.
- Scaling nature-based solutions: Systematically restoring wetlands, expanding green cover, and adopting permeable landscapes.
- Mobilizing finance: Leveraging blended models—like project finance instruments, green bonds, and insurance-backed mechanisms—to enable scalable resilience.
- Enabling policy translations: Updating building codes, zoning regulations, and procurement norms to require climate adaptation.
