URBAN HEAT ISLANDS AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN INDIAN CITIES

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and climate change pose significant challenges for cities worldwide including the emergence of Urban Heat Islands (UHI). Urban heat islands, rising temperatures and extreme weather events are affecting human health, infrastructure and critical services in cities. The aim of this paper is to explores the relation between UHI and climate resilience in Indian cities. This article discusses UHI effects in Indian cities, its challenges and climate resilience strategies. Cities that are resilient to climate change can efficiently address environmental risks by adopting precautionary, adaptive and transformative actions. India has initiated various national and state-level initiatives to promote climate-resilient urbanization, such as the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework and the Smart City Mission. The paper argues that implementing mitigation measures and building climate resilience, Indian cities can mitigate the adverse effects of UHI and ensure sustainable urban development in the face of climate change.