Score:
9.5/15
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Topper’s Copy
GS1
Physical Geography
15 marks
Rapid urbanisation is intensifying the Urban Heat Island effect in Indian cities. Examine how urban planning contributes to rising heat stress and suggest measures to build heat-resilient cities.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- How urban planning contributes to rising heat stress in cities
- Measures needed to build heat-resilient Indian cities
What you wrote:
Rapid urbanization is converting Indian cities into anthropogenic heat traps. The urban island effect (UHI) arises when built up surfaces absorb & re-radiate heat, raising urban temperatures relative to surrounding environments.
Rapid urbanization is converting Indian cities into anthropogenic heat traps. The urban island effect (UHI) arises when built up surfaces absorb & re-radiate heat, raising urban temperatures relative to surrounding environments.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could add a statistical context (e.g., Indian cities experiencing 3-5°C higher temperatures than surrounding areas during peak summer)
What you wrote:
How urban planning intensifies heat stress?
1) Concretisation, by roads, parking lots, & buildings replace vegetation and permeable surface, reducing evapotranspiration and increasing sensible heat.
2) Loss of wetland infrastructure like wetlands, lakes, urban forests, & open spaces weaken natural cooling & thermal regulation.
3) Dense high rise buildings, & narrow streets (urban jungles) trap long wave radiation while obstructing ventilation corridors, particularly during calm conditions causing canyon effect.
4) Concrete, asphalt, & glass have high storage capacity.
5) Informal settlements, non-pakka houses, chawls, slums etc have inadequate shade, ventilation & water access & thereby lead to spatially differentiated heat vulnerability.
How urban planning intensifies heat stress?
1) Concretisation, by roads, parking lots, & buildings replace vegetation and permeable surface, reducing evapotranspiration and increasing sensible heat.
2) Loss of wetland infrastructure like wetlands, lakes, urban forests, & open spaces weaken natural cooling & thermal regulation.
3) Dense high rise buildings, & narrow streets (urban jungles) trap long wave radiation while obstructing ventilation corridors, particularly during calm conditions causing canyon effect.
4) Concrete, asphalt, & glass have high storage capacity.
5) Informal settlements, non-pakka houses, chawls, slums etc have inadequate shade, ventilation & water access & thereby lead to spatially differentiated heat vulnerability.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could complete the thermal storage explanation (e.g., concrete and asphalt store heat during day and release at night, preventing natural cooling)
- Can include anthropogenic heat emissions from vehicular congestion and air conditioning units that directly add waste heat to urban environments
What you wrote:
Building heat resilient cities —
1) Mandating cool/reflective roofs, shaded streets & climate responsive building codes.
2) Protecting urban commons, wetlands & blue green networks through land use zoning.
3) Creation of ventilation corridors & integrate urban forestry into master plan.
4) Use of heat risk mapping to prioritize vulnerable neighborhoods & guide climate sensitive infrastructure.
Building heat resilient cities —
1) Mandating cool/reflective roofs, shaded streets & climate responsive building codes.
2) Protecting urban commons, wetlands & blue green networks through land use zoning.
3) Creation of ventilation corridors & integrate urban forestry into master plan.
4) Use of heat risk mapping to prioritize vulnerable neighborhoods & guide climate sensitive infrastructure.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could reference specific initiatives like Telangana's Cool Roof Policy (2023-2028) mandating reflective surfaces for commercial buildings
- Can include water-based solutions (e.g., misting systems in public spaces, water body restoration for evapotranspiration cooling)
- Could mention Building Heat Resilient Cities Programme under MoHUA for comprehensive heat mitigation planning
What you wrote:
India needs to move from heat responsive emergency management to heat sensitive urban planning, making thermal comfort, ecological infrastructure & climate justice core principles of the urban masterplan.
India needs to move from heat responsive emergency management to heat sensitive urban planning, making thermal comfort, ecological infrastructure & climate justice core principles of the urban masterplan.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen with constitutional reference (e.g., Article 21's right to life includes protection from extreme heat, making heat-resilient planning a fundamental duty)
Your answer demonstrates strong technical knowledge and comprehensive coverage of both demands. The structure is logical and the conclusion provides an insightful policy direction. Consider adding specific policy examples and completing technical explanations for enhanced credibility.
Demand of the Question
- How urban planning contributes to rising heat stress in cities
- Measures needed to build heat-resilient Indian cities
What you wrote:
Rapid urbanization is converting Indian cities into anthropogenic heat traps. The urban island effect (UHI) arises when built up surfaces absorb & re-radiate heat, raising urban temperatures relative to surrounding environments.
Rapid urbanization is converting Indian cities into anthropogenic heat traps. The urban island effect (UHI) arises when built up surfaces absorb & re-radiate heat, raising urban temperatures relative to surrounding environments.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could add a statistical context (e.g., Indian cities experiencing 3-5°C higher temperatures than surrounding areas during peak summer)
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