Climate vulnerability and resilience in Peri-urban settings of Dehradun city in Uttarakhand, India: spatio-temporal and perception analysis

Due to their unique transitional nature and accelerated urbanization, peri-urban areas are particularly sensitive to climate change. The objective of this research is to study the vulnerability and resilience of peri-urban systems in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Utilizing a dual methodology, a spatio-temporal and perception-based approach, the study analyzes primary data from a structured questionnaire survey, interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs), and secondary data is analyzed from satellite imagery using ArcGIS 10.5. The correlation between these two methods demonstrates high risk in peri-urban areas to climate change events. The climate change events considered are temperature and rainfall patterns. The Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) indices were used to correlate with Land Surface Temperature (LST). The study identifies methods to assess the status of climate risks in peri-urban areas of Dehradun city in India. This study suggests frameworks to help to gain insight into how administrations and communities perceive, identify, and prioritize the vulnerabilities and their resilience methodologies. The study highlights the urgent need for adaptation measures, including educational campaigns, to build community resilience against climate risks. Joint action between central and local governments, domestic and foreign companies, and the local community is vital for scientific information in urban development for sustainable practices. Real-time updates of primary data can inform how adjustments might need to be made over time, while tools that incorporate AI and combine spatial and temporal data can potentially provide predictions of future opportunities for passing beyond sustainability.