Promoting the restoration and development of green and blue-infrastructure in cities is vital for protecting ecosystem services and human well-being amid rapid urbanisation. This project aims to explore the role of blue-infrastructure in contemporary cities, focusing on urban heat mitigation and sustainable water conservation and management. It focuses on Jodhpur’s historic stepwells in the Thar Desert, which have long played a crucial role in mitigating climate impacts and supporting sustainable water management. These ancient groundwater harvesting structures are culturally significant, reflecting the region’s socio-ecological responses to water scarcity.

Our research addresses a critical gap in the literature surrounding blue-infrastructure and nature-based solutions in India. This project explores how Jodhpur’s culturally and ecologically significant stepwells can support contemporary climate mitigation strategies. Our objectives are:

1. Assess the ability of stepwells to mitigate urban heat by moderating the microclimate.
2. Investigate their role in sustainable water management, including rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and supporting local biodiversity.
3. Explore their socio-cultural value and potential for fostering community engagement, water governance, and sustainable urban design.

Our socio-technical approach integrates diverse methods: scientific microclimate monitoring and simulations, social-science techniques like interviews, and study of heritage preservation. The project will examine the cooling effects of stepwells and assess their utility in water conservation through community-focused research.

By reviving stepwells, this study aims to contribute to both local and global climate governance and sustainability efforts. It offers a model for integrating historic blue-infrastructure into contemporary urban design, enhancing both environmental resilience and cultural vitality.