Indian cities are getting hotter not only because of climate change, but also because of how they are being built.
Concrete surfaces, dark roofs, glass façades and reduced green cover absorb and retain heat. This creates the urban heat island effect, where built-up areas become warmer than surrounding greener areas.
Air conditioners can add to this by discharging heat into nearby streets and surroundings.
The impact is being seen across India:
Delhi NCR: Urban cores are reported to be 5–7°C hotter than nearby green belts, with rapid concretisation in Gurugram and Noida linked to increased heat retention.
Ahmedabad: Night temperatures have been reported at around 4°C above surrounding rural areas, with dense built-up surfaces and limited green cover contributing to the problem.
Chennai: Urban land surface temperature is reported to have increased by 2.8°C over 20 years, alongside loss of forests, wetlands and increasing concretisation.
Buildings can either worsen heat or reduce it. Cool roofs, shaded streets, green spaces, protected water bodies and better building design can help cities remain cooler.
Climate change is increasing heat. Poor urban design is trapping more of it.