This dissertation explores the impact of the climate crisis on coastal villages in India, focusing on the urgent need for adaptive measures to ensure the survival and development of these frontline communities. With a vulnerable Western coastline, India faces significant challenges such as sea water ingression, loss of land, property, and livelihood, and the increasing frequency of cyclones in the Arabian Sea. Through a case study of Devbag, a small peninsular village in Maharashtra, the project analyzes the specific challenges faced by coastal settlements and identifies potential sites for intervention by mapping rising sea levels, soil salinity, infrastructure, and vulnerability. The design proposal incorporates the concepts of protean living, regenerative systems, pliable structures, and amphibious building to enhance the resilience of existing public infrastructure in Devbag. The interventions are designed to function as shelters during disasters and as refuges when migration becomes necessary. The project is divided into two aspects: a wetland barrier and walkway along the western edge of the village, and the division of the village into three parts with public structures serving as evacuation points. These structures include a community center near the Vithal Mandir and a school, a polyvalent gram panchayat, and a tourist center at Mobar. Each intervention is designed to interact with water and adapt to changing conditions, utilizing materials such as bamboo, laterite, and timber. The overall resilience strategy also includes a 50-meter wide mangrove plantation and a 6-meter wide amphibious walkway to promote regenerative systems and sustainable revenue. The mangrove stretch serves as a carbon sequestration system, promotes coral growth, provides habitats for fish, and improves water quality, while the walkway functions as a promenade, boat anchoring, and parking facility. The dissertation emphasizes the need for inclusive design that penetrates through social strata and provides a fair chance of survival for all in the face of the climate crisis. By proposing adaptive strategies that integrate with the existing fabric of coastal villages, the project aims to build resilience and ensure the long-term sustainability of these vulnerable communities.
