Tracing climate and health intersections across historic and peripheral settlements in North Karnataka.
Research Overview
Kalaburagi (formerly Gulbarga) sits in India’s semi-arid Deccan plateau. Once a major centre of the Bahmani Sultanate, it now balances a rich architectural heritage with rapid, unplanned urban expansion. The city faces climate stress from extreme heat, water scarcity, and seasonal flooding of low-lying areas. Our work spans four contrasting sites that reveal different urban health vulnerabilities and adaptive practices.
Historic Sufi shrine complex and surrounding neighbourhood at the city’s heart.
Sheikh Roza is a historic Sufi shrine complex at Kalaburagi’s core, surrounded by dense housing and busy lanes. Ageing drainage and crowded alleys make it prone to monsoon waterlogging and summer heat stress. Yet it remains the city’s vibrant spiritual and cultural centre, drawing pilgrims, vendors, and families.
Photo Documentation
Research Documents
Maps
Water filtration facility and its peri-urban settlement.
Filter Bed lies on the city’s peri-urban edge beside a key municipal water facility. Leaks, variable supply, and sewage overflow compromise water quality, while scarce transport and healthcare deepen vulnerabilities. Residents often trek long distances for water during shortages, relying on neighbourly support to manage crises.
Photo Documentation
Research Documents
Maps
Densely populated informal settlement on low-lying land.
Bapu Nagar is a low-lying informal settlement where seasonal floods and intense heat shape everyday life. Narrow lanes and informal waste disposal clog drains, prolonging stagnant water after rains. Even with disrupted work and schooling, residents quickly organise clean-ups and temporary walkways to restore routine.
Photo Documentation
Research Documents
Maps
Semi-rural fringe settlement transitioning into urban fabric.
Jeelanabad straddles Kalaburagi’s rural-urban fringe, mixing farms and livestock with emerging construction. Wells run dry in summer, and inconsistent piped water forces households to store and share limited supplies. Seasonal migration for labour and poor transport links strain education, healthcare, and family stability.
Photo Documentation
Research Documents
Maps
