Introduction
India is experiencing record-breaking summer temperatures. Some of the areas in the countries are over 50 degrees Celsius. And it is only the start of the summer season. The maximum impact of the summer is prominent in urban areas. They are usually 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the rural areas with trees. This is an urban heat island effect and will further increase the surrounding temperature. Let’s look into this phenomenon for a better understanding.
The Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI)
It is a condition of comparatively high temperatures in urban areas because of several factors. The use of concrete, a high number of vehicles, a low quantity of trees, and pollution lead to this situation. Thus, you will experience more heat in the city, which does not reduce during the night as well.
How does UHI develop?
Modern construction is one of the biggest causes of UHI. It means using a high quantity of concrete, asphalt and dark surfaces for infrastructures. All these are known for retaining more heat than traditional rural designs.
- ACs
- Industries
- Vehicles
At the same time, construction requires free areas. For this, the project cut trees and occupied green spaces. Unfortunately, when the project is finished, the lost trees and vegetation are not restored.
Why UHI in India?
India has one of the most dense urban areas with a pre-existing high baseline tropical temperature. The population in metropolitan areas is increasing every day. This led to unplanned construction around urban areas.
UHI cities:
- New Delhi
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
Moreover, law and order are never followed. As a result, you get a region that is mostly concrete without any proper planning.
Measuring the Urban Heat Island Effect
The easiest way to measure the effect is to look at the temperature difference between urban areas and the outskirts. You can see the actual data on ISRO and IMD studies and compare them with the past. Moreover, the effect of high temperature goes beyond irritation as it can drastically impact human health.
Impacts on People and the Environment|
Heat can have both physical and mental impacts on the human body. The high urban temperatures are a concern for public health. It can lead to heat strokes and respiratory illnesses. Moreover, the lower bracket of the population is heavily impacted since they can’t even afford proper air conditioning.
Solutions and Mitigation Strategies for Urban Heat
The best way to reduce the impact of summer heat is through trees and plants. Unfortunately, years of abuse and improper planning have drastically reduced the quality of cities in India. This is not even improving as new construction projects take over the green lands. So, we need to act quickly as a nation and utilise the following ideas before we lose our opportunity.
- Green infrastructure
- Cool roofs and pavements
- Building codes and ventilation corridors.
- Expanding public transport.
- Wetland and water body conservation.
Government Initiatives and Policy Response
The government needs to take action on informal construction. What’s the point of building when you’re jeopardising the living standards of the population?
One way to resolve the issues is to disperse the population by providing local opportunities. We can aim for this by building smart cities with green mandates. India is a big nation and requires heat action plans that can be seen beyond papers.
The Role of Individuals and Communities
Individually, you can keep different plants in your balconies and houses. This will provide freshness and ensure better air quality. If you are building a new house, you should choose cool roof options and better designs. For communities, it’s best to invest in planting trees in the available areas. It can help to keep the temperature in control.
Final Thoughts on Urban Heat Island Effect
India is currently facing unprecedented summer temperatures, with some regions exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. This is particularly severe in urban areas, which are 5 to 10 degrees warmer than rural ones due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.
Modern construction practices further contribute to UHI by replacing green spaces with heat-retaining materials. The issue is pronounced in densely populated cities like New Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad, where poor planning and law enforcement lead to worsening conditions.
Proposed solutions include enhancing green infrastructure, implementing cool roofs, and enforcing better building codes. Government initiatives must also focus on regulating informal construction and promoting smart cities with green mandates.