Utilising locally sourced, natural building materials like mud, bamboo, and thatch can significantly reduce heat absorption and create a cooler indoor environment. Our ancestors understood the importance of using materials that harmonise with nature and promote thermal comfort
"Let my thoughts come to you when I am gone, like the afterglow of sunset at the margin of starry silence." Rabindra Nath Tagore
The blistering summer of 2024 has revealed a stark reality: India's urban areas are transforming into heat chambers. With temperatures skyrocketing to a scorching 50 degrees Celsius and alarming alerts about escalating heat waves, the urban heat crisis is not just a matter of perception but a scientifically proven fact that demands immediate action.
As India embarks on ambitious construction projects, it's imperative to acknowledge the significant role of the built environment in exacerbating this crisis. A recent study by the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has highlighted a disturbing trend in India's major cities. Heat waves are intensifying due to rising temperatures, increasing humidity, and urban expansion. The 'urban heat island effect' is a phenomenon where cities are notably hotter than their surrounding rural areas due to human activities. This effect is particularly devastating for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, who are more susceptible to heat-related health issues. The concrete jungles we construct amplify this effect, transforming our cities into stifling traps.
The Constitution of India upholds all citizens' rights to life and personal liberty. In a landmark judgement in 2024, the Supreme Court of India affirmed that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to a clean and healthy environment. This ruling underscore the government's legal and moral obligation to shield citizens from the adverse effects of extreme heat. The court's decision also aligns with the Constitution's directive principles of state policy, which mandate the government to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. It further reinforces the fundamental duties of every citizen to preserve and enhance the natural environment, thereby making it a shared responsibility to combat the urban heat crisis. In this context, mitigating the urban heat island effect becomes crucial to protecting citizens' health and well-being, especially vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and pre-existing health conditions.
The scorching heat of Indian summers has long been a formidable challenge. However, the solutions we seek do not need to be looked for elsewhere. While modern solutions are necessary, India's cultural heritage offers timeless wisdom that can complement and enhance our efforts to mitigate the escalating urban heat island effect. By blending ancient wisdom with modern technology and urban planning, we can forge innovative strategies that are effective and deeply rooted in our culture. Drawing from India's profound spiritual and literary heritage, we can develop creative and culturally significant solutions to combat the urban heat island effect. Integrating traditional wisdom with modern technology and urban planning can create sustainable, resilient, and livable cities for future generations.
Kabir, the 15th-century mystic poet and social reformer, challenged social norms and advocated for equality and justice for all. His verses resonate with the need to address the disproportionate impact of urban heat on vulnerable communities, such as the poor and marginalised, who often lack access to cooling infrastructure and are more susceptible to heat-related health issues.
"Pandit, you read the scriptures but do not practice what they preach. If you are a true pandit, why do you fill your belly by begging? Why do you indulge in worldly pleasures if you call yourself a saint? Kabir says, "O Pandit, if you are truly wise, then why do you not renounce the world?"
This Doha urges us to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action to ensure equitable access to cooling infrastructure and green spaces for all residents, regardless of socioeconomic status. It also underscores the importance of community participation and empowerment in developing sustainable solutions to urban heat. Each individual has a role, and we can all make a significant difference together.
Revitalising age-old water management systems:
Step-wells (baolis), tanks (kuis), and irrigation channels can replenish groundwater, cool the local environment, and mitigate the heat island effect. Surdas's vivid depictions of the Yamuna River in Vrindavan underscore the importance of clean water and a thriving ecosystem for the well-being of humans and the environment. Moreover, Surdas's vivid depictions of the Yamuna River meandering through Vrindavan underscore the significance of clean water and a thriving ecosystem: "Yamuna tat pran patit, hari charan ki dhooli, Taru taru mein Hari mile, bansuri yahin booli." (On the banks of the Yamuna, I fall at the feet of Hari, covered in the dust of his footsteps. In every tree, I find Hari, and his flute plays its melody here.) This verse highlights the interconnectedness of nature and spirituality, emphasising the need to protect our water bodies and ecosystems to ensure the well-being of humans and the environment. Rahim’s teachings on sustainable living and resource conservation are particularly relevant in urban heat. "Rahiman paani raakhiye, bin paani sab soon. Paani gaye na ubere, motii, manus, choon." (Rahim, conserve water; without water, everything is barren. Without water, neither pearls nor humans nor lime can survive.) This doha reminds us of the critical importance of water conservation in mitigating urban heat. Implementing rainwater harvesting systems, promoting water-efficient landscaping, and encouraging responsible water usage are essential to creating heat-resilient cities. Implementing heat action plans prioritising vulnerable populations, providing cooling centres, and ensuring equitable access to green spaces are crucial to creating heat-resilient communities.
Natural Building Materials:
Utilising locally sourced, natural building materials like mud, bamboo, and thatch can significantly reduce heat absorption and create a cooler indoor environment. Our ancestors understood the importance of using materials that harmonise with nature and promote thermal comfort. Our traditional stories often mention natural materials like wood and stone, which have lower heat absorption capacity than modern construction materials like concrete and asphalt. Adopting green building practices, using reflective materials to reduce heat absorption, and promoting energy-efficient appliances can significantly lower energy consumption and heat generation in buildings, leading to a more comfortable and sustainable living environment.
Protecting Sacred Groves:
These biodiversity hotspots, considered abodes of deities in many Indian traditions, can help preserve biodiversity, regulate the local climate, and provide shade and cooling effects. Surdas's descriptions of Vrindavan highlight the importance of respecting and preserving nature by integrating green spaces into our urban landscapes. Surdas's vivid descriptions of Vrindavan, the idyllic pastoral landscape where Krishna spent his childhood, paint a picture of a sustainable and harmonious community deeply connected to nature: “Gopiyaan ko bachan sunn, Vrindavan ki shobha suno, Hari charan chinhaan, tan mann dhan sab kunj bano." (Listen to the words of the gopis, and hear the beauty of Vrindavan, Mark the footprints of Hari, and dedicate your body, mind, and wealth to the groves.) This verse celebrates the beauty of Vrindavan and emphasises the importance of respecting and preserving nature. It encourages us to integrate green spaces into our urban landscapes, creating aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable communities.
Community Gardens:
Creating community gardens can foster social cohesion, provide fresh produce, and increase green cover in urban areas, thereby reducing the heat island effect. This aligns with the traditional emphasis on community and interconnectedness with nature. By involving local communities in urban greening initiatives, tree planting drives, and awareness campaigns about the importance of sustainable practices, we can create a sense of ownership and encourage active participation in mitigating the urban heat island effect. Your involvement is crucial in this endeavour.
Cool Roofs:
Encouraging communities to paint their roofs white or install reflective coatings can significantly reduce heat absorption and lower indoor temperatures. This practice draws inspiration from traditional Indian homes that featured whitewashed or light-coloured roofs made of materials that naturally reflected sunlight. Today, cool roof technology builds upon this traditional wisdom using specialised coatings and materials that reflect even more sunlight and emit absorbed heat efficiently. These roofs can significantly reduce indoor temperatures, lower energy consumption for cooling, and mitigate the urban heat island effect. Cool roofs can reduce indoor temperatures by 3-4 degrees Celsius, providing much-needed relief during heatwaves.
Tree Plantation Drives:
Organising tree planting drives involving residents, schools, and local organisations can enhance green cover, improve air quality, and provide shade. Surdas's poetry often mentions the importance of trees and clean air, reminding us of their crucial role in combating climate change. "Tarvar ek phale anek, Sab vidhi sukh upajai, Nanha panchhi basera kare, Garmi se taru bachhai." (A single tree bears many fruits, bringing happiness. Small birds make their nests in it, and the tree protects them from the heat.) This verse highlights the multifaceted benefits of trees, from providing food and shelter to mitigating the effects of extreme weather. It reminds us of trees' crucial role in combating climate change and the need to integrate them into urban planning to create resilient cities. Studies have shown that increasing tree cover in cities can reduce temperatures by 2-8 degrees Celsius. Implementing green roofs, urban forests, and green walls can significantly mitigate the urban heat island effect.
Promoting Public Transportation:
Encouraging public transportation, cycling, and walking can reduce vehicular emissions and heat generation. This aligns with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Arthashastra, which emphasise performing one's duty for more significant, reasonable, and efficient resource allocation. In the context of transportation, it implies optimising public transportation systems to provide affordable and accessible options for all, thereby reducing the reliance on private vehicles and their associated emissions.
Energy-Efficient Appliances:
Policies encouraging energy-efficient appliances can significantly reduce energy consumption and heat generation. This aligns with ancient Indian philosophies that emphasise mindful consumption and reducing one's ecological footprint. Thirukkural, the Tamil classic, emphasises the importance of moderation and avoiding excess in all aspects of life. Applying this principle to energy consumption means choosing energy-efficient appliances and using them mindfully to reduce our carbon footprint.
Waste Reduction and Recycling:
Promoting waste reduction and recycling initiatives can minimise the amount of waste sent to landfills, which are significant sources of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This practice aligns with reincarnation, emphasising the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of all beings, encouraging us to view waste as a resource to be reused or recycled. This can inspire us to view waste not as an end product but as a resource that can be reused or recycled, thereby reducing the burden on landfills and minimising methane emissions. The Laws of Manu,the ancient legal texts, emphasise the importance of cleanliness and avoiding pollution. This can be interpreted as a call for waste reduction and recycling to maintain a clean and healthy environment. The traditional scriptures inspire us to adopt circular economy principles, where waste is minimised and resources are reused to create a sustainable future.
Incorporating elements of traditional Indian architecture, art, and music can create a sense of place and identity. Still, by celebrating our cultural heritage, we can make modern, functional, and culturally vibrant cities. These learnings resonate with the need to adopt sustainable practices in urban development to reduce heat generation. These teachings emphasise that mindful consumption can inspire initiatives to minimise waste and promote a circular economy, further contributing to a more sustainable and heat-resilient city. The Rigveda, the oldest Vedas, states: "Let us protect the environment, and the environment will protect us." By integrating this timeless wisdom with modern technology and urban planning, we can prioritise vulnerable populations, ensure equitable access to green spaces, and build a cooler, greener, and more sustainable future for our cities. Let us not merely pay lip service to our traditions and constitutional duties but actively embrace them to create a cooler, greener, and healthier future for our cities.
(Hitesh Vaidya is an urban practitioner.)