MITIGATING THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT IN INDIAN CITIES

Key Highlights:

• Urban planning is a State subject as per the 12th Schedule of the Constitution, with the Union Government providing supplementary support.
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) formulated 'National Guidelines for Preparation of Action Plan-Prevention and Management of Heat Wave' in 2019.
• Heat Action Plans (HAPs) have been prepared by 23 states, 195 districts, and 64 cities.
• Delhi's SAPCC 2.0 projects a rise in summer maximum temperatures by 1.5°C to 2.1°C by mid-century.
• Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) for sustainable cooling.
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) issued guidelines and implemented schemes like AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 for urban heat mitigation.
• Under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, 4,171 park projects, 2,960 waterbody projects, and 346 green mobility projects have been approved or completed.

Detailed Insights:

• NDMA guidelines recommend cities conduct vulnerability assessments to identify factors contributing to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect and include mitigation measures in their HAPs.
• An NDMA advisory also focuses on protecting informal workers during heatwaves, suggesting measures like shaded vending zones and cooling centers.
• Delhi's climate vulnerability assessment, using IMD data and IPCC AR6 scenarios, identified increasing heat waves as a major hotspot.
• The revised Delhi SAPCC incorporates measures like cool roofs, cooling corridors, urban green infrastructure, and wetland restoration to mitigate UHI effects.
• The ICAP aims to reduce cooling demand, improve energy efficiency, and promote better technology options for sustainable cooling across sectors.
• MoHUA guidelines, such as the Urban Green Guidelines, 2014, promote compact, green urban development and climate-responsive urban planning.
• AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 initiatives include developing parks, restoring water bodies, promoting green mobility, and installing LED streetlights, saving 665 Cr kWh annually.
• AMRUT 2.0 launched a pilot program, "Building Heat Resilient Cities," in 12 cities for scientific assessment and city-specific recommendations for heat mitigation.
• The Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SSASCI) incentivizes states to promote climate sustainability through urban planning and green infrastructure.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect: A phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and built environments.
• Heat Action Plans (HAPs): Comprehensive strategies developed by cities and states to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events, including early warning systems and public awareness.
• India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP): A national plan by MoEFCC to provide sustainable cooling and thermal comfort for all while securing environmental and socio-economic benefits.
• Socio-Economic Pathways (SSP): Scenarios used by the IPCC to explore how global society, demographics, and economics might change over the next century, influencing climate projections.