From Neglect to Necessity
Creating Waterways that function for Flood Resilience and Public Life!
Bangalore’s historical relationship with water is a tale of human ingenuity and environmental symbiosis, disrupted by colonial governance and rapid urban expansion. The city once relied on an extensive network of interconnected lakes, tanks, and rajakaluves—stormwater channels designed to direct rainwater efficiently from one reservoir to another. This decentralized system was integral to both water conservation and flood mitigation, ensuring a sustainable hydrological cycle that supported the needs of its inhabitants.
The late 19th century marked a turning point in Bangalore’s water management. The introduction of piped water from distant reservoirs reduced reliance on local water bodies. Simultaneously, urban expansion led to the repurposing of lakes and tanks for land development. This transition was not merely physical but also ideological, reflecting shifting perceptions of water from a life-sustaining resource to an aesthetic commodity.(Nair, 2005)
Colonial and post-colonial influences played a significant role in this transformation. The lakes that once served as community commons—supporting livelihoods through fishing, agriculture, and cattle grazing—were reimagined as picturesque spaces for leisure and recreation, catering primarily to the city’s elite.
Traditional users of these lakes were increasingly marginalized as activities deemed unsightly or disruptive to the landscape were restricted. For instance, the Sampangi Lake, once a multi-functional resource for local communities, became a regulated space with uniformed guards enforcing new usage norms. (Nagendra, Unnikrishnan, & Manjunatha, 2016)
Yet, this shift came with severe ecological and social consequences. The loss of connectivity between lakes, driven by unchecked encroachments and infrastructural developments, disrupted the natural flow of water. Furthermore, the seasonal rhythm of these water bodies was altered as untreated sewage and effluent began to flow into the lakes, turning them into stagnant, polluted basins. The very rajakaluves that once functioned as vital conduits for stormwater drainage were now dismissed as mere sewage channels, severing them from their original function.
Climate change, rising temperatures, and unpredictable rainfall have exposed the environmental negligence behind Bengaluru’s rapid urban development. Despite frequent floods and water shortages, the restoration of this system is still seen as a series of isolated projects rather than an integrated water and sanitation strategy that includes citizen participation.
How can this vast water network be reclaimed as a vital urban infrastructure in the contemporary city?
The K100 Citizens’ Waterway
“Our work on the K100 project has shown that Bengaluru’s water systems can be reimagined as flood-resilient urban spaces that serve both people and ecology.
Our infrastructure systems, public well-being, and environmental health are deeply interconnected—yet they continue to be managed in isolation. It’s time to bridge these gaps.”
The K100 project was launched as a proof of concept: can Bengaluru’s water systems be transformed from neglected drains into flood-resilient public spaces? By introducing new functions that align with contemporary urban needs, we aim to enhance their relevance and utility for surrounding communities.
In this project, waterways have been reimagined as active mobility corridors, linking key urban nodes such as bus stops and upcoming metro stations. Adjacent green spaces are being repurposed by local residents for productive uses such as kitchen gardens, the pathways provide walkable routes to schools, thus reinforcing their everyday value. The creation of community buy-in—driven by a sense of ownership, pride, and perceived usefulness—has played a critical role in mitigating solid waste accumulation.
This project has taken shape through the coordinated efforts of multiple government departments, NGOs, and local communities, ensuring that public infrastructure is not only restored but becomes an integral part of daily life.
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By breaking down physical barriers and integrating the community into the transformation process, the waterways have been reclaimed as shared urban spaces.
Historically, the disconnect between infrastructure and communities has fostered apathy towards its maintenance and governance. By re-establishing this relationship, the project aims to instil greater accountability in the management of these public assets, ensuring their long-term sustainability and resilience.
The question is not whether we can scale up this strategy—but whether we can afford not to.
The Larger Picture?
Bengaluru’s 800 km of stormwater drains form the backbone of its water system, connecting the city’s remaining lakes and tanks. However, poor maintenance, unchecked development, and fragmented governance have rendered them ineffective. Projects like K100 have shown that these networks can be revitalized to serve both people and the environment—but isolated efforts are not enough. To address recurrent flooding and water shortages, Bengaluru must shift towards a city-wide strategy that treats its water systems as essential, functional and integral urban infrastructure, rather than an afterthought.
Need for Better Planning
A strategic plan for the city’s water ecosystem is essential in the face of climate change, unseasonal rainfall, floods, and water scarcity, which have become recurring challenges. An integrated vision that treats these critical infrastructural systems as urban commons is key to enhancing both local ecosystems and urban resilience. Incorporating this perspective into city development plans ensures that water systems are not only protected from unchecked urban expansion but are also leveraged as assets that support sustainable growth.
The Challenge Ahead
The city’s survival depends on its ability to reconcile development with environmental sustainability, recognizing that water bodies are not just scenic attractions but vital components of Bengaluru’s ecological and social fabric. The challenge ahead lies in reimagining these lost commons as spaces that serve both people and nature, restoring a balance that was once integral to Bangalore’s identity.
If we are to reclaim Bengaluru’s water systems, governance must prioritize long-term financing, execution, and management with a focus on citizen health and wellbeing.
Amritha is an architect, urban designer and researcher working at Mod Foundation
References
Nagendra, H., Unnikrishnan, H., & Manjunatha, B. (2016). Contested urban commons: mapping the transition of a lake to a sports stadium in Bangalore. International Journal of the Commons, 265-293.
Nair, J. (2005). The Promise of the Metropolis: Bangalore’s Twentieth Century. Bangalore: Oxford University Press.
Navamany, C. G., Narayan, S., & Scholten, L. (2022). There is no environmental health without public health: exploring the links between sanitation and waterbody health in Bengaluru, India. Environment and Urbanisation Vol.34, 76-98.
Ramesh, A. (2025). Flows and fixes: water, disease and housing in Bangalore, 1860–1915. Urban History, 52, 118-140.
Unnikrishnan, H., & Seema Mundoli, H. N. (2017). Making water flow in Bengaluru: planning for the resilience of water supply in a semi-arid city. Journal of Sustainable Urbanization, Planning and Progress, 1-11.
