SUSTAINABLE URBAN RENEWAL WITH GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SMART APPROACHES TOWARDS INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN HYDERABAD

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in developing countries has led to a rapid growth of informal settlements, causing environmental degradation, poor infrastructure, and socio-economic inequalities. The unplanned growth of the city leads to major problems such as substandard housing, lack of proper public services, inefficient waste management, urban flooding, and lack of green spaces in Hyderabad, Pakistan. The established paradigm of urban revitalization has concentrated on physical renewal, frequently at the cost of environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and technological innovation. Therefore, there is a growing need for integrated urban renewal strategies that combine Green Infrastructure (GI) and smart urban approaches to improve the sustainability and resilience of informal settlements.This study proposes an integrated framework for sustainable urban renewal by combining green infrastructure interventions (urban green spaces, bioswales, permeable pavements, rainwater harvesting systems, urban forestry, community gardens) with smart technologies (Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Internet of Things (IoT), smart waste management, remote sensing, digital governance). It is recommended that a mixed-method research design including spatial analysis, GIS mapping, household surveys, stakeholder interviews, and environmental assessment be used to assess the current situation and determine suitable sustainable interventions.Expected results include an integrated planning framework that improves the quality of the environment, climate resilience, infrastructure efficiency, and community well-being in Hyderabad’s informal settlements. The study contributes to sustainable urban planning by showing how ecological and technological solutions can be integrated toward resilient urban transformation and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.