Editorial-30/05/2026
Concrete Fever: On India and Heat Management
India’s cities are turning into giant heat traps. What was once considered a seasonal inconvenience has now become a structural crisis involving climate change, unplanned urbanisation, public health, labour productivity, and environmental sustainability. The phrase “concrete fever” aptly captures the growing phenomenon where expanding concrete landscapes absorb and retain heat, intensifying temperatures beyond natural climatic conditions. As India witnesses recurring heatwaves crossing 45°C in several regions, the challenge is no longer merely about managing weather but redesigning cities for survival.
Why Is India Becoming Hotter?
1. Climate Change and Rising Global Temperatures
Global warming has increased the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves worldwide. Studies indicate that heatwave hotspots across India have expanded significantly over the last two decades, with further intensification projected under future climate scenarios.
2. Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect
The Urban Heat Island effect occurs when urban areas record significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural regions due to:
- Concrete and asphalt surfaces absorbing solar radiation.
- Loss of vegetation and water bodies.
- High-rise structures restricting airflow.
- Waste heat emissions from vehicles, industries, and air conditioners.
Research highlights that Indian cities are experiencing severe UHI effects, making urban residents more vulnerable to heat stress.
3. Rapid and Unplanned Urbanisation
Indian cities have increasingly replaced:
- Trees with roads.
- Lakes with housing projects.
- Open spaces with commercial complexes.
The transformation of cities like Bengaluru illustrates how declining green cover and increasing built-up areas create “heat archipelagos” across urban landscapes.
The Human Cost of Extreme Heat
Public Health Crisis
Extreme temperatures affect the body’s ability to regulate heat, leading to:
- Dehydration
- Heat exhaustion
- Heatstroke
- Kidney-related ailments
- Cardiovascular complications
Children, elderly persons, outdoor workers, and urban poor are particularly vulnerable. Hospitals across several states have reported increasing heat-related illnesses during recent heatwaves.
Impact on Workers
Nearly 90% of India’s workforce operates in the informal sector, including:
- Construction labourers
- Delivery personnel
- Street vendors
- Agricultural workers
Many workers experience income losses, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and declining productivity during prolonged heat exposure.
Heat and Inequality
The burden of heat is not distributed equally.
Those living in:
- Slums,
- Poorly ventilated housing,
- Congested urban settlements,
face greater risks because they lack access to cooling infrastructure and reliable electricity.
Concrete Fever and Indian Cities
The growth model of many Indian cities has prioritised construction over climate resilience.
Common features include:
- Glass-façade buildings unsuitable for tropical climates.
- Excessive concretisation.
- Encroachment of lakes and wetlands.
- Shrinking urban forests.
- Narrow roads with minimal shade.
Such development patterns create “heat boxes” that trap daytime heat and prevent cooling during the night. Studies increasingly warn about rising nighttime heatwaves, which reduce recovery time for the human body and worsen health outcomes.
Existing Government Initiatives
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
NDMA has issued guidelines for heatwave management, focusing on:
- Early warning systems.
- Public awareness campaigns.
- Emergency healthcare preparedness.
Heat Action Plans (HAPs)
Several cities, including Ahmedabad, have adopted Heat Action Plans involving:
- Heat alerts.
- Cooling centres.
- Drinking water facilities.
- Public advisories.
However, implementation remains uneven across states and urban local bodies.
Smart Cities Mission
The mission encourages:
- Green infrastructure,
- Sustainable transport,
- Urban resilience measures.
Yet climate adaptation remains insufficiently integrated into many city master plans.
What Should India Do?
1. Adopt Climate-Responsive Urban Planning
Cities should prioritise:
- Green belts.
- Urban forests.
- Open spaces.
- Protection of water bodies.
Urban planning must move from concrete expansion to climate-sensitive design.
2. Promote Cool Roofs and Cool Pavements
Measures include:
- Reflective paints.
- White roofs.
- Terracotta roofing.
- Heat-resistant construction materials.
These can reduce indoor temperatures significantly while lowering energy consumption.
3. Increase Urban Green Cover
Trees provide:
- Shade,
- Carbon sequestration,
- Natural cooling through evapotranspiration.
Experts recommend expanding green spaces at neighbourhood and plot levels.
4. Revive Traditional Indian Architecture
Traditional designs incorporated:
- Courtyards,
- Verandahs,
- High ceilings,
- Natural ventilation.
These features are better suited to Indian climatic conditions than energy-intensive glass structures. Community discussions and urban experts increasingly advocate combining traditional wisdom with modern science.
5. Strengthen Heat Governance
India requires:
- Legally enforceable Heat Action Plans.
- Heat-resilient building codes.
- City-level heat budgets.
- Dedicated climate adaptation funding.
6. Protect Vulnerable Workers
Measures should include:
- Modified working hours.
- Mandatory rest breaks.
- Drinking water access.
- Heat insurance and social protection mechanisms.
Challenges Ahead
- Financial constraints of urban local bodies.
- Weak implementation of planning regulations.
- Rapid migration to cities.
- Competing developmental priorities.
- Limited climate awareness among stakeholders.
At the same time, scientific studies project increasing heatwave-related mortality and expanding heat hotspots if adaptation measures remain inadequate.
Conclusion
India’s heat crisis is no longer solely an environmental issue; it is a governance, health, economic, and urban planning challenge. “Concrete fever” reflects a development model that has often ignored climatic realities. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, India must shift from reactive emergency responses to proactive heat management. Greener cities, climate-sensitive infrastructure, stronger local governance, and protection of vulnerable populations will determine whether Indian cities remain livable in the decades ahead. Sustainable urbanisation is no longer a choice—it is an imperative for survival in a warming world.
Download Pdf
