Loops as Leverage

Covai has grown from a village along the Noyyal River into a major industrial hub, expanding from its historic lakes and Town Hall core into linear corridors of growth. Yet, like many Indian cities, this expansion has produced mounting social and ecological pressures. Our proposal for Koundampalayam advances an integrated ward-level circularity framework aligned with the UN SDGs and Coimbatore’s SUD-SC vision. The framework leverages existing assets—canals, markets, solar parks, housing, and informal settlements—through four interlinked loops of People (Live–Move–Work–Engage), Water (Collect–Treat–Release–Restore), Food (Produce–Trade–Consume–Compost), and Energy (Generate–Distribute–Utilize–Conserve). Each loop is supported by a “Circularity Toolbox” of 48 tool blocks guiding interventions across open spaces, streets, and buildings. The strategy unfolds in three phases: piloting catalytic nodes such as park rejuvenation and market relocation, expanding flow networks of mobility and resource systems, and activating systemic reforms. The framework is further grounded through a pilot project for the city’s wholesale market, demonstrating its replicable potential.