Urban Heat Island: Causes, impact and damage control measures.

Abstract

Climate change is a looming threat to both the planet's ecosystems and human well-being. It stems from various factors and has numerous consequences. Among these consequences, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect stands out as a prominesnt feature of urban climates. The fastest-growing phenomena in developing countries is undoubtedly the rapid development of the urban population. UHIs are more evident in urban areas, and they become increasingly pronounced as cities expand and evolve. These heat islands intensify the challenges posed by climate change by elevating local temperatures and triggering a range of environmental and health issues. Furthermore, heat islands have the added consequence of raising cooling demands during the summer, leading to increased energy usage and the emission of more greenhouse gases. There exists a multitude of strategies for alleviating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This study evaluates different UHI mitigation approaches and assesses their effectiveness in reducing urban temperatures. Its goal is to provide a collection of research- and analysis-based recommendations to counteract the UHI effect. The study emphasizes the significance of each UHI mitigation strategy and offers a series of recommendations specifically tailored for India. These recommendations are intended to guide governmental policies aimed at addressing and mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect.