Introduction & Context
India has been grappling with hotter and longer summers, driven in part by global climate change and local urban heat island effects. Ahmedabad, with more than 8 million residents, has responded proactively, pioneering a multipronged Heat Action Plan years ago. The city’s measures gained urgency after numerous deadly heatwaves battered the region in 2022 and 2023. This year, the city’s expansions—like widespread reflective roof painting—are drawing international attention as a model for other high-heat metros.
Background & History
Ahmedabad’s first major heat plan was launched in 2013, shaped by a deadly 2010 heatwave that killed over 1,300 people in the city. Over the past decade, local leaders have steadily added interventions: from early alert systems that trigger radio and text advisories, to training healthcare staff in treating heatstroke. Officials also coordinate with local nonprofits to reach slum communities, distributing water and rehydration salts. The new focus on white roofs draws inspiration from “cool roof” initiatives tested in other hot regions globally. Misting bus shelters borrow from places like Doha and Dubai, where public spaces integrate water-cooled stations in the hottest months.
Key Stakeholders & Perspectives
Local government touts these strategies as lifesaving and cost-effective. Residents in lower-income areas especially appreciate the immediate difference in indoor temperatures, sometimes dropping from blistering midday highs to more tolerable levels. Public health professionals see these measures as essential, given that many older buildings lack air conditioning. Critics worry about long-term sustainability: white paint needs periodic reapplication, and water resources must be managed carefully. Still, for day-to-day relief, these steps have widespread support.
Analysis & Implications
Ahmedabad’s experience underscores how straightforward solutions—like bright white paint or targeted water mist—can have an outsized impact on public health. Cost-efficiency is vital in developing urban centers, and these methods don’t require massive infrastructure. Other Indian cities, from Jaipur to Nagpur, have expressed interest in replicating the approach. Internationally, it serves as a blueprint for creative adaptation. Meanwhile, systematic climate mitigation—reducing carbon emissions, planting urban trees—remains critical to prevent heatwaves from intensifying further.
Looking Ahead
As extreme heat events become more frequent, more Indian states are exploring citywide “cool roof” policies. Ahmedabad aims to coat thousands more roofs next year, focusing on vulnerable neighborhoods. The city also plans to expand its coverage of “cooling bus stops,” offering relief for daily commuters. Researchers will monitor health outcomes this summer, comparing hospitalization and mortality rates with prior heatwaves. If successes are confirmed, scaling these interventions nationwide—or even globally—could become a key pillar of climate resilience.
Our Experts' Perspectives
- Urban development specialists note that community-driven measures—paint squads, local water distribution—foster lasting behavioral change.
- Public health experts emphasize the critical role of early warning text alerts: giving families and health workers time to prepare each day’s heat plan.
- Climate scientists say such local adaptations buy time, but cutting greenhouse gas emissions remains the ultimate strategy to curb extreme-heat escalation.