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When we think about heatwaves, we usually imagine rising temperatures and overloaded air conditioners. But what if the real problem is hiding in plain sight—on our rooftops?
India is now using artificial intelligence (AI), satellites, and city-level data to pinpoint which buildings make our cities hotter—and which ones suffer the most. This is more than a tech experiment. It’s the future of climate-conscious urban planning.
What Is Urban Heat Vulnerability—and Why Should We Care?
Urban heat vulnerability refers to how exposed different parts of a city are to dangerous levels of heat. And it’s not equal. The color of your rooftop, the number of trees around your house, and even how close your building is to the next one—all affect how hot your neighbourhood gets.
This matters in India more than ever. As our cities grow rapidly, concrete replaces green cover, and buildings rise without planning for airflow or heat absorption. Add climate change to the mix, and we’re looking at a long, hot future unless we intervene.
The Role of AI and Satellite Mapping
To tackle this, India has launched a new heat-mapping initiative using high-resolution satellite images, AI algorithms, and climate models to assess heat vulnerability down to the level of individual buildings.
This project, in collaboration with organizations like the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center and WRI India, brings together urban design, technology, and social equity. The goal? To identify the most heat-prone zones in cities—and prioritize who needs help first.
Key data points include:
- Rooftop material and reflectivity (does your roof trap or reflect heat?)
- Presence of tree cover
- Proximity between buildings (tighter clusters trap more heat)
- Land use patterns
- Demographics like income levels and age
Cities Leading the Way
The mapping project is already underway in several Indian cities including:
- Ahmedabad, one of the first Indian cities to implement a heat action plan after a deadly heatwave in 2010.
- Pune, using the data to plan tree plantation and green corridors.
- Chennai, integrating heat maps into urban zoning decisions.
- Bhubaneswar, focusing on informal settlements where cooling infrastructure is often absent.
These cities are not just reacting to extreme heat events—they’re preparing for them. By knowing exactly where the most vulnerable zones are, city officials can plan better shelters, improve green cover, install cool roofing materials, and even shift construction timelines.
Why This Approach Matters
This isn’t just about fancy technology. It’s about using smart tools to make compassionate decisions. When we understand how and where heat builds up, we can design fairer, more inclusive cities.
For instance:
- Cool roofs made of reflective materials can lower indoor temperatures by up to 5°C.
- Tree shade and green areas don’t just look good—they reduce heat absorption and create microclimates.
- Ventilation-friendly design in dense housing blocks can help people stay cool without needing air conditioning.
Designing for Climate Starts With Listening to Data
In the age of climate change, design is not just about aesthetics or structure—it’s about strategy. And sometimes, the most powerful design tool is data.
India’s urban heat mapping project shows that AI and satellites can do more than monitor traffic or weather. They can help us protect lives, inform policies, and design better cities—starting at the rooftop level.
Because the fight against climate change isn’t always about sweeping reforms. Sometimes, it’s about understanding which rooftop needs help first.
Final Thoughts
India’s approach to urban heat is a perfect example of how technology, design, and empathy can come together. As more cities adopt this model, it could redefine how we plan urban environments—not just to survive heatwaves, but to build cooler, kinder cities for the future.