Uploaded on 2016-08-18 by SWATI DUTTA

1.The temperature differences that have been recorded in US cities and their surrounding rural areas due to UHI effect are as follows: Las Vegas (7.3°F) Albuquerque (5.9°F) Denver (4.9°F) Portland (4.8°F) Louisville (4.8°F) Washington, D.C. (4.7°F) Kansas City (4.6°F) Columbus (4.4°F) Minneapolis (4.3°F) Seattle (4.1°F) On average across all cities, urban summer temperatures are 2.4°F hotter than rural temperatures. 2.Indian cities are growing rapidly and that results in a wide variety of environmental stresses. Amritsar city (case study city of undergoing doctoral research) – one of the youngest metropolitan cities is undergoing urbanization at a fast pace. It needs to accommodate ever increasing population that has accelerated indiscriminate destruction of urban greenery and agricultural land during the past decade. Rapid spatial expansion and densification of built up areas, increase in vehicular traffic and congestion on roads coupled with destruction of vegetation cover has resulted into a significant average rise of 2-3⁰C temperature across the city which can potentially pose a serious threat to the urban micro-climate. Urban Heat Island effect has not only intensified but has also spread to newer areas. UHI has resulted in – Thermal discomfort (both indoor and outdoor) and increased energy consumption as a result of excessive use of air conditioners in buildings and automobiles. 3.Initiatives would be: • Restoring the urban open spaces and planting trees along roads and avenues. • Designing neighborhood and localities (as a planner/urban designer) with lots of open spaces, parks, playgrounds, shaded pedestrian walkways and cycle tracks, etc. • Pedestrianizing heritage precincts and commercial centers and restricting vehicles to reduce air pollution and heat generation. • Creating awareness and engaging the local community to contribute in upkeep and maintenance of their locality. 4.Several policies are in place as part of the Amritsar Master Plan 2010-2031. They are: • Enhancement of modes of Public Transportation and reduction of private vehicles thus reducing smoke and heat generation and energy consumption. • Making urban environment integral and essential part of city development process. • Making environment integral part of planning and decision making process. • Developing and improving existing gardens, parks and open spaces, besides creating new open spaces to make Amritsar a city of gardens. • Making city free from air, water, land and noise pollution. • Promoting optimum use of available natural resources. The policies are being implemented and it is hoped that there will be visible changes with respect to the improvement of the urban environment in the coming years.