Reclaiming Heat-Resilient Public Spaces: A Simulation Toolkit for Urban Heat Mitigation

June 01, 2026

Extreme heat reshapes the livability of Indian cities. The spaces where people walk, work, wait and gather are becoming increasingly hostile, and the burden falls hardest on those with nowhere else to go. Reclaiming Heat-Resilient Cities is a rigorous,
evidence-based toolkit that uses ENVI-met microclimate simulation to test and quantify targeted interventions—from canopy trees and lightweight shading to reflective pavements and blue-green infrastructure—across ten study sites in Delhi, Jaipur, Mysuru, Pune and Leh. Drawing on spatial heat-stress analysis, on-ground site assessments and comparative scenario modelling,

The report demonstrates that well-chosen, context-specific retrofits can reduce surface temperatures by up to 22°C and meaningfully lower ambient air temperatures—transforming unsafe outdoor spaces into thermally comfortable, equitable public realms.
A practical guide for urban planners, designers and policymakers, this report makes the case that heat resilience is not a luxury but a prerequisite for just and liveable cities.