Reimagining contested terrains in moirang: navigating urban expansion ecological shifts and socio-cultural transformations

Abstract

As cities expand, usually to peri-urban environments, culturally or environmentally significant locations, conflict over land usage increases. By the year 2050, according to the United Nations, 68% of the world's population will be in cities, putting additional pressure on contested areas. In spatial geography and urban planning, contested terrains are physical spaces where competing interests, whether environmental, social, economic, or cultural, intersect over how to use, develop or maintain the land. Over such competing claims, the land becomes a contested terrain, a place where decisions regarding its future are full of negotiation and conflict. Contested space brings out the multifaceted character of land as a resource, and reimagining such a space means moving towards integrative solutions that harmonise the diverse demands, where one interest does not dominate others. As one of the most rapidly urbanising countries, India's acceleration of urban growth is spilling over into peri-urban areas and becoming hotspots for contestation. Frequently neglected in national urban planning discussions, the Northeast region is experiencing urbanisation at a faster rate, which multiplies the challenge with its unique socio-cultural profile, high biodiversity, and prime geopolitical positions without robust planning systems in place elsewhere in India. Moirang, a heritage town in Manipur near Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in north-eastern India, rich in history and culture, exemplifies this conflict. Its rich heritage, indigenous local community and physical environment are propelling Moirang into rapid urban planning and development driven by tourism, population increase and economic growth. This growth puts pressure on land utilisation and natural resources, which challenges the harmony of urban growth, environmental stability, and socio-cultural landscape. This thesis examines the dynamic between urban development, ecological stress, and socio-cultural change in Moirang, aiming to harmonise the pressure of development with the preservation of natural systems and cultural heritage. The study focuses on two precincts: the urban valley area that has major commercial zones and mixed-use settlements, and the island area within Loktak Lake inhabited by the indigenous fishing community of Moirang, who follow the traditional method of fishing and cultivating. These two separated precincts are interconnected at different levels, economically, ecologically, socio-culturally, and in infrastructure and accessibility as well. Each area has specific challenges; the valley is undergoing urban growth and expansion that encroaches upon wetlands and water channels, together with the transformation of agricultural lands and pisciculture ponds for residential purposes. In the meantime, the island region is confronted with settlement encroachment and loss of native fishing ponds on the periphery of the lake. These issues are accelerated by changes that impact both the ecology and the community. The design intervention for the valley region aims to address urban encroachment, water channel pollution due to runoff and bamboo processing, and riparian buffer erosion. Complementing Moirang's draft masterplan 2043, it promotes mixed-use development and active public corridor by rejuvenating a nearby water channel. Revitalising the channel for boat transportation to support eco-tourism and culture with green buffers to maintain ecological functions. The structure plan zones the area into a mixed-use corridor, a transitional green zone, and an ecological buffer zone. The design intervention of Moirang's island sector aims to address the issues of infilling traditional fish ponds for residence, dumping refuse along the lake boundary because pond buffers have been lost, and hill cutting for construction, resulting in erosion and loss of habitats. Interventions include ecological restoration, public access, and sustainable livelihoods with a restoration project rebuilding fishing ponds along the settlement-lake boundary and stabilising phumdis. Reducing hill cutting and increasing public access with viewing platforms to link residents and visitors to the lake. The structure plan organises the area into conservation, ecological restoration, and settlement zones in order to achieve well-balanced development and preservation Keywords: contestation, urban expansion, ecological shifts, transformation, ecological planning