Lecture | Lunch Talk
Extreme Topographies in Transition: Transects of Development and Global Warming in the Garhwal Himalayas, India
- Date
- Monday 24 March 2025
- Time
- Address
-
Pieter de la Court
Wassenaarseweg 52
2333 AK Leiden - Room
- 3A69
Presentation Abstract
This research examines ecological transformations in the Garhwal Himalayas over the past century, focusing on state-led development, climate change, and urbanization. As a critical biodiversity hotspot, the region’s steep topography and altitudinal gradients have historically shaped livelihoods, stewardship, and cultural practices. However, large-scale infrastructural projects, including hydropower and highway expansions, are accelerating deforestation, biodiversity loss, and socio-ecological shifts. The study investigates the region’s transition under extended urbanization by analyzing the interplay between landscape, topography, and state-driven development. Focusing on the Bhagirathi River corridor from Gaumukh to Haridwar, it employs a transect-based methodology to examine settlement morphologies, resource extraction, and mobility patterns. The concept of ecological floors integrates climate, biodiversity, and settlement dynamics within this framework. Through geospatial analysis, fieldwork, and archival research, the study advances a landscape urbanism approach, offering insights into sustainable adaptation strategies for fragile, biodiverse regions.
Ashim Kumar Manna
Ashim, an architect and urban designer from India, specializes in urban design, landscape urbanism, and geospatial methods. Educated at Jamia Millia Islamia, CEPT University, and KU Leuven, his work integrates infrastructure and ecology to address environmental challenges. He has contributed to urban projects in India, the Netherlands, and China, focusing on placemaking, air quality, and resilience. As a PhD researcher at KU Leuven, he examines how landscapes shape state-led development, urbanization, and climate adaptation in the Garhwal Himalayas. His work bridges design, policy, and environmental science to create sustainable, resilient urban landscapes.