Chennai began its urban growth trajectory at the mouth of the Cooum River. Today, the city rapidly expands beyond Adyar River into marshes, farmlands, and forests - indiscriminately turning a largely wet and permeable landscape into concrete. As rivers, canals, and other hydrological networks are disrupted, Chennai has become a low-lying city that is unprepared to face the regular stresses of the monsoons and unprecedented shocks from extreme rainfall or cloudbursts. The city faces multiple water-related risks — from flooding to sea level rise to aquifer depletion. Yet, the urban typologies and planning paradigms of the city are indifferent to the region’s ecological realities and challenges. 

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