This study examines the impact of British cartography along the Ganges River in India, particularly on ecological systems, cultural identities and living heritage. By interrogating the land-water divisions imposed by them, I discuss how the fluid nature of the Gangetic landscape has been negotiated within contemporary river management, urban planning, spiritual traditions, and governance structures, while eroding the adaptability and resilience of riverine communities. Central to this research is Dilip da Cunha’s wetness theory, that conceptualizes land and water as a fluid continuum rather than discrete entities. I argue how Western-rooted practices misrepresented this fluidity, leading to ecological and cultural consequences, and creating a disconnect between traditional knowledge systems and modern river-management strategies.

This multidisciplinary approach explores how mapping redefined cultural landscapes along the Ganges, while focusing on Varanasi and Kolkata. It combines cartographic analysis, environmental science, cultural studies and contemporary theories to investigate how rigid boundaries in colonial maps disrupted the river’s natural flow and traditional land-use patterns, causing sedimentation, biodiversity loss, and increased flood risks. In Varanasi, I examine how artificial boundaries affected the ancient urban fabric and religious practices. In Kolkata, I investigate how cartography shaped the city’s development as a colonial capital, influencing its expansion and socio-spatial dynamics. By integrating the concept of place attachment, I analyze how these cartographic impositions have influenced the emotional and spiritual bonds between people and their environments.

The research proposes a framework that integrates indigenous knowledge systems, contemporary theories, and participatory mapping techniques to create holistic representations of the Ganges’ landscape, and support sustainable urban planning, ecological restoration, and cultural heritage preservation. This work will provide policy reform recommendations, aiming to safeguard the Ganges’ ecological integrity and allied cultural heritage, bridging the gap between academic research and practical policy implementation.

Climate change and sea level rise (SLR) are increasing the risk of tidal and storm flooding in coastal, urban communities. By 2100, sea level is expected to increase at least another three feet on the East Coast of the US, particularly in Hampton, Virginia. Developed watersheds face special challenges in resilience and habitat restoration, requiring deeper involvement with surrounding communities. This research will focus on the Hampton University campus, which is vulnerable to rising flood risk. As a community-based research project, the objectives are: (1) To investigate the flood damage, vulnerability, and risk perception in Hampton (VA), (2) To analyze the effect of compound flooding at Hampton University at both building and urban levels to improve resilience as well as wildlife habitats (addressing UN SDGs 11and 14), and (3) To enhance public awareness by full community involvement in the design process with a focus on adaptation before significant storm and flooding damage occurs. As for research methodology, a field investigation will be performed to collect data related to flooding at Hampton University. As a community-based project, the students, faculty members, and staff will be directly involved in data collection, identification of hot spots for recurrent nuisance flooding, evaluation of project alternatives, and providing feedback about design solutions to reduce the exposure of the community to existing and future hazards. In conclusion, all survey-based data will be summarized and integrated to develop multi-scale adaptative design strategies, utilizing green infrastructure and resilient solutions, to mitigate flooding and enhance urban resilience in this vulnerable area. Also, we will train the campus community - on potential interventions that may help in alleviating their flooding problems, while engaging them in planning, data collection related to flooding and disseminating project results to the larger community to develop community support for the implementation of coastal resilience solutions.

Bangladesh, with its extensive coastal areas, is highly vulnerable to the impacts of rising sea levels and frequent flooding causing widespread damage to the built environment, agriculture, and livelihoods, heightening poverty and hampering development. With over 35 million people residing in these low-lying coastal zones, the risk of displacement and economic loss is immense. Current energy system infrastructure is frequently ill-suited to survive extreme weather conditions, necessitating the development of an innovative, flood-resilient framework capable of supporting renewable energy generation while dealing with the difficulties of a high-risk environment. This research aims to develop a robust framework for designing and installing resilient solar arrays tailored to the specific challenges of these regions during deadly flood situations. An angular resilient off-grid module equipped with floating solar arrays, and flood-resistant materials will combine the kinetic energy from floating on top of the water with solar power to increase system endurance that guarantees convenient use in any circumstance. Its flexibility also ensures easy usage in any situation making sure to promote sustainable livelihoods and people of any socio-economic background can utilize it considering low material cost. The methodology includes prototype design development, literature review, selection of sample sites, simulation and analysis, and performance metrics that highlight the capacity to provide reliable energy in times of crisis, support grid stability, and foster long-term sustainability. By combining technical resilience with socio-environmental considerations, the proposed paper concludes to promote a scalable model for rural planners, architects, and policymakers to design sustainable, energy-efficient frameworks that are capable of adapting to and recovering from major flood-prone occurrences, eventually contributing to a more resilient future for Bangladesh's coastal regions.​