Uploaded on 2016-03-11 by lillian-krishen_99

Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area? UHI results in: • Thermal discomfort (both indoor and outdoor) and increased energy; • Increased rainfall intensitives over the urban areas. • Health problems i.e breathing, asthma, low energy levels. This is caused by: • Growth in Cities/urban infrastructure • Increase in Built up Areas • Rise in Temperatures compared to surrounding Rural Areas (UHI) Now that you saw the significant effect of UHI in the US cities, can you provide data and information for your own place of residence? The data given has been taken from the study by: D E V S Kiran Kumar Research Associate Sustainable Habitat Division The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India Causes of Urban Heat Island Effect: ![UHI Images][1] ![Table][2] Also: While 2015 was the hottest year on record, Indian cities have been getting warmer by the year The average temperature in the country has risen by 2.2°C over the last 200 years, according to a study. With 2015 now the hottest year since records started being kept 135 years ago, Delhi, Mumbai and other Indian cities have heated up substantially since the 19th and 20th centuries, data from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reveal. Mumbai’s average annual temperature has risen 2.4 °C since 1891 and Delhi’s average annual temperature has risen 0.3 °C since 1930, as the chart below indicates: ![Details][3] In addition to that, we want you to provide two images; the first one of a city and the second one of its surrounding rural area (preferably one of those areas is your place of residence). Compare the two images in terms of reasons that contribute to the UHI effect of the city. (Pictures attached below): The pictures of the city reflect only buildings, roads, smog, pollution, heat and traffic during peak hours. Use of air-conditioners and coolers. Whereas the green area reflects a freshness of air where one can breath in freely, clean environment, no heat coming in from the roads, no traffic, no buildings. 3. Which are the measures you would propose? If you could take part in the decision making process of an initiative related to the UHI effect, which are the measures that you would propose in order to reduce it and provide a more livable environment to the citizens? The most urgent need is to have the following for a more livable environment: Cool roofs, cool pavements, and urban vegetation reduce energy use in buildings, lower local air pollutant concentrations, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions from urban areas. 4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area? Do you know of policies in your community that are planned to reduce the UHI effect? Provide us with information regarding any visible results. Ahmedabad is the only city in India to implement a heat action plan. Indian Institute of Public Health in Gandhinagar has developed the plan, which includes health advisories for the public and for health professionals, general guidelines of making shelters for those working outdoors, arrangements for ice packs and IV fluids and much more. Delhi should have an action plan. Even European cities where the maximum temperature goes up to 30 to 35 degrees have these. A few people dying in Delhi is only the tip of the iceberg. During the 2010 heatwave in Ahmedabad, there were 300 deaths in a day, said Dr Dileep Mavalnkar, director of IIPH. • After a deadly heat wave hit the city of Ahmedabad, India in May 2010, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has taken the initiative to develop coordinated action to reduce the devastating health effects of heat stress on the local population. • Ahmedabad's vulnerable populations were identified early on in the heat adaptation project through on-the-ground studies, focus groups, interviews, and workshops that considered factors affecting heat exposure, susceptibility to heat-related illness, and adaptive capacity. • The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan creates immediate and longer-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing, and response coordination to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations. Ahmedabad's Heat Action Plan and Research Materials Higher daily peak temperatures and longer, more intense heat waves are becoming increasingly frequent globally due to climate change. Extreme heat events already have a significant impact in India. After a deadly heat wave hit the city of Ahmedabad in May 2010, the AMC has taken the initiative to develop coordinated action to reduce the devastating health effects of heat stress on the local population. Through the AMC, Ahmedabad is leading as the first Indian city to create a comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events. The Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH), Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University have partnered with the AMC, launching the city's first Heat Action Plan in 2013. The 2015 Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan is an updated version of the first implemented plan. The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan creates immediate and longer-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing, and response coordination to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations. The Heat Action Plan and related resources aim to protect and prepare Ahmedabad for extreme heat events, and offer a roadmap to other interested cities and states to adopt their own heat preparedness plans. As a part of the project, an expert committee developed recommendations for the local government and other stakeholders to consider adopting to formulate the initial heat action plan for the city of Ahmedabad in 2013. An "Inside Story" looks at how the coalition of partners crafted the initial Heat Action Plan in Ahmedabad. The partners also developed an issue brief to evaluate the Plan's early effects in reducing heat-related health impacts and saving lives in the face of extreme temperatures. Rising Temperatures, Deadly Threat: Series of Four Issue Briefs of Recommendations for Heat Adaptation in Ahmedabad Ahmedabad's vulnerable populations were identified early on in the heat adaptation project through on-the-ground studies, focus groups, interviews, and workshops that considered factors affecting heat exposure, susceptibility to heat-related illness, and adaptive capacity. Targeted policy interventions that increase information sharing, communication, preparedness, and response coordination were identified to improve vulnerable populations' resilience to rising temperatures. ![Image of City (Urban)][4] ![Image of City 2 (Urban)][5] ![Image of City 3 (Urban)][6] ![Image of Rural Area (Green) 1][7] ![Image of Rural Area (Green) 2][8] ![Image of Rural Area (Green) 3][9] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14577032258470912.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14577032504581631.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1457703329800554.jpg [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14577004801751158.jpg [5]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14577005634794312.jpg [6]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14577005993020635.jpg [7]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1457700638613541.jpg [8]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1457700678118602.jpg [9]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14577007127825807.jpg