Development Plan for the Prevention of Urban Heat Island Effect in Chennai Metropolitan Area

Development Plan for the Prevention of Urban Heat Island Effect in Chennai Metropolitan Area

Overview: 

To reduce emissions, adapt to climate change and protect citizens, cities need to integrate and implement appropriate measures in their master planning and other plans and policies to reduce the increase in city temperatures due to climate change and Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) and associated impacts. Chennai city has been selected under the UNEP-RMI India Urban Cooling Programme as a pilot city to carry out UHIE studies and frame an implementation plan to minimize the impacts of UHIE and rising cooling demand that will inform national methodologies and recommendations on best practices. The Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) is to undergo a seven-fold expansion to an area of 8,878 sq. km with the inclusion of new areas under its limits. The city of Chennai is witnessing rapid urbanization which causes massive pressures on energy consumption, and GHG emissions and increases the urban heat island effect (UHIE). This project under the Small-Scale Funding Agreement (SSFA) is being implemented by UNEP with the Tamil Nadu State Government, including the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). The overarching objective of this project is to support CMDA to assess and integrate actions to mitigate and adapt to extreme heat and deliver sustainable cooling into various urban plans (including the New Area Development Plans for Satellite towns and the Third Master Plan 2026-2046), inform state and city level policy and implementation action and develop and test a methodology for assessing urban heat island for national replication.

Objectives

 The objective of the project is to support Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to assess and integrate actions to mitigate and adapt to extreme heat and deliver sustainable cooling into various urban plans, inform state and city level policy and implementation action and develop and test a methodology for assessing urban heat island for national replication.

Activities:

1. To develop a methodology for Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) study in Chennai and associated data and analysis requirements based on a review of best practices and stakeholder consultations standardization of methodology and development of a city guideline for national replication.
2. A literature review on urban sprawl and UHIE in Chennai will be undertaken and an assessment of associated drivers combined with an analysis of existing and planned initiatives policies and their impact on UHIE
3. Develop a detailed Terms of Reference and request for proposal for a survey agency for the collection of required data and present available spatial data to CMDA.
4. Development of a detailed spatial and temporal assessment of UHIE within CMA under various climate and urban growth scenarios. Assessment will include benefits and issues related to land use planning, building, and infrastructure development and operation as well as the energy sector, health, and wellbeing impacts. Presentation of findings to CMDA and UNEP
5. Development of Urban Heat Adaptation Guidelines for inclusion in Chennai’s master plan and New Area Development Plans including multi-stakeholder and cross-departmental consultations and development of recommendations for targeted interventions and measures to mitigate the impact of heat waves, to improve outdoor and indoor thermal comfort and decrease cooling loads in buildings.
6. Conduct one state-level training and awareness-raising program for planners, Chennai city, and relevant state government departments on UHIE and recommended actions. Prepare training modules to be made available nationally.
   

Output and Outcomes

1. To provide an approach and methodology for the UHIE study in Chennai. Standardised national methodology for UHIE and guideline for cities to adopt this methodology.
2. Literature review and assessment report on existing situation, past and ongoing research and government initiatives and policies related to UHIE and urban growth trends. Stakeholder consultation minutes.
3. Terms of Reference and draft tender document for data collection and GIS mapping. Submit maps showing present and projected UHI (BAU/ Business as Usual)
4. Draft report on UHIE Study including primary and secondary data collected and consultation minutes and details on existing and proposed urban planning, analysis of all data, simulation models, drawings and maps and recommendations on policy and actions to CMDA. Historical UHI mapping of CMA (1970-2020) along with urban growth trends and change in urban characteristics in the past 50 years. Documented stakeholder consultation on draft UHI study

Publications:

• 'Fit for Purpose' Urban Heat Island Study Methodology for Indian Cities