As one of India’s major coastal cities, Chennai sits on the frontline of climate change. Rapid urbanisation, coupled with the loss of 85% of its wetlands, has heightened the city’s vulnerability to flooding, waterlogging, and water scarcity. Cyclone Michaung (2023) highlighted the city’s vulnerability, causing displacement of people and major disruption to infrastructure. Rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and intensifying heat stress further compound these challenges, making resilience planning a critical priority.

Yet, Chennai is also emerging as a leader in climate adaptation. The city is embedding resilience into its urban planning processes, experimenting with nature-based solutions such as wetland and river restoration, and expanding disaster preparedness systems. At the state level, Tamil Nadu has invested in flood forecasting, coastal protection measures, and ecosystem-based adaptation to protect both people and infrastructure. Lessons from Chennai can serve as a model for other coastal cities across India grappling with similar risks.

This panel will explore how coastal cities can adapt to the growing threats of climate change. It will highlight the vulnerabilities of urbanising coastal regions, showcase local and global resilience strategies, and examine how governance, finance, and community engagement can drive climate-smart coastal development.