Risk-Informed Master Planning for Kerala
Capacity development and climate-sensitive planning concepts for local administrative bodies
Region
Central and Southern Asia
Date
January 2024 - July 2025
Service
Regional Development and Metropolitan Strategies
Project Details
Location
- Kerala (India)
Type
- Commission
Client
- Rebuild Kerala Initiative (RKI)
Partners
- CRISIL Ltd.
- GITPAC International
- MLA+
Surface
38863km²
Integrating Risk and Resilience into India’s Urban Future
In 2018, the Indian state of Kerala, one of the most socioeconomically developed in the country, was struck by catastrophic flooding and landslides, resulting in over one million people displaced and $4.4 billion in damages. This disaster underscored the urgent need for new planning approaches that address the growing impacts of climate change and urbanisation.
By 2050, an estimated 54% of India’s population will live in cities. As environmental risks intensify, there is a critical need to embed resilience into the way urban areas grow, evolve, and serve their communities.
How can we best address some of the challenges related to climate change whilst developing future-oriented cities that prioritise community and sustainability alike?
This approach is especially vital in regions like Kerala, where environmental fragility intersects with fast-paced development. Without integrating risk awareness into the design process, well-intended interventions can amplify existing vulnerabilities and create new risks. Meaningful participation from stakeholders with diverse knowledge systems is essential to avoid this.
TSPA’s Role and Methodology
TSPA supported the development of a new Masterplanning framework for the Kerala government together with two Indian-based partners, consultant office CRISIL Ltd. and GITPAC International, as part of the larger “Rebuild Kerala” initiative, funded by the World Bank and KfW. The spatial planning and strategy development part of the assignment were supported by MLA+, a Dutch architecture, planning, and consultancy company.
TSPAs work focused on mainstreaming risk-informed urban planning, making it more accessible for local urban planners and politicians as well as improving policy coordination. Following the development of approaches and tools, sessions for capacity development were developed to empower local actors to build sustainable, future-oriented cities in South India.
The project was divided into five work packages, with TSPA working together with MLA+ and CRISIL Ltd. on three of the five work packages. The main task was to revise the Guidelines for Risk-Informed Master Planning from 2022 and develop spatial strategies at the regional and district level, as well as a capacity development programme for urban local bodies in Kerala.
What is Risk-Informed Planning?
Risk-informed planning is an approach that prioritises the needs of vulnerable communities by identifying, understanding, and addressing environmental risks through inclusive urban design. It combines technical planning expertise with lived experiences from local stakeholders to create outcomes that are practical, effective, and equitable.
(1) - Updating Guidelines for Risk-Informed Planning
Although Kerala established planning guidelines in 2022, local stakeholders reported them to be challenging to interpret and apply, particularly in municipalities without consistent experience in master planning.
We conducted a thorough review of these documents, working to simplify and update them to reflect current challenges, including the increasing severity of climate impacts and varied planning capacities across jurisdictions.
(2) - Policy Adaptation and Institutional Coordination
The second work package focused on strengthening institutional frameworks. The consortium worked to adapt existing policies and align planning tools with multiple levels of government, ensuring clarity and political feasibility.
This process required balancing the aspirations and limitations of local, state, and national actors. Our role included identifying leverage points for effective legislation and helping define actionable steps for implementation.
(3) - Development of First Spatial Strategy
During this stage, the consortium developed the first state- and district-level spatial strategies which integrates economic growth, land-use planning, and risk resilience.
The strategy acknowledges Kerala’s unique identity, including its dense forests, high biodiversity, and reputation as the “Green Garden of India”. It also considers the significance of Kerala's urban-rural continuum, shifting labour markets, infrastructure pressures, and increasing competition for investment both nationally and globally.
(4) - Creating a Shared Data Repository
Data access remains a significant challenge in many Indian planning contexts. Much of the spatial and demographic data in India is held by private firms or political actors and is often not publicly accessible.
To address this, the consortium initiated an approach towards a centralised, open-data repository that allows for consistent, transparent planning inputs. This not only improves coordination but also reduces inefficiencies in future decision-making.
(5) - Local Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
To ensure the plan’s long-term success, we developed training modules and tools to support local implementation. This included a shared platform with instructions and templates tailored to Kerala’s administrative context.
We also worked to clarify key terminology, recognising that terms like “resilience,” “restriction,” or “strength” can have varied meanings depending on local context. Bridging these gaps was essential for shared understanding and effective local action.
Future Planning
During the period of the Risk-Informed Master Planning project a replicable model for other Indian states and vulnerable regions worldwide as developed. By aligning design, policy, and risk awareness, planning can become a tool for adaptation and sustainability rather than control. This reflects TSPA’s broader commitment to inclusive, resilient urban development that enables people and places to thrive amid uncertainty.
