Training Programme on Climate-Resilient Cities: Adaptive and Mitigative Approaches for a Warming Habitat

18th- 21st February 2025

The Sustainable Habitat Programme conducted an onsite training programme on “Climate-Resilient Cities: Adaptive and Mitigative Approaches for a Warming Habitat” at the Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute (AAETI) from February 18–21, 2025. The training programme was attended by 30, including town planners from the Department of Town Planning Rajasthan, officials from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations and Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporations, experts from the National Institute of Disaster Management and the National Building Organisation, and faculty from various universities. Their diverse expertise and perspectives enriched the discussions, making the sessions more insightful and impactful.

Day 1

The training program began with an ice-breaking session and a poll on climate risk and resilience in cities, setting the stage for discussions. This was followed by the big picture session, where Programme Director Mr. Rajneesh Sareen outlined climate vulnerability across India’s diverse climatic zones. He provided a detailed overview of urban challenges in regions such as the Himalayan foothills, plains, and coastal areas, highlighting their sectoral impacts on waste management, wastewater treatment, housing, indoor environments, and extreme events like heatwaves, floods, and cyclones. After that, Ms. Mitashi Singh conducted a session on policy levers and opportunities for climate action and sustainability in India. She discussed mitigation and adaptation strategies across sectors such as energy, urban development, mobility, air quality, water, and waste management, while also highlighting national missions and ongoing initiatives. Mr. Rajit Sengupta, Associate Editor at Down To Earth, presented India’s Atlas on Weather Disasters, highlighting how the increasing frequency and scale of disasters can hinder and even reverse regional development. The post-lunch session, themed urban resilience and thermal comfort amid urban heat, focused on the impact of rising urban temperatures on vulnerable populations. Mr. Rajneesh Sareen discussed the increasing urban discomfort, health risks, and socio-economic challenges caused by extreme heat. The session emphasized the need for adaptive strategies and climate-responsive urban planning to enhance thermal comfort and resilience in rapidly warming cities. It then transitioned to city-level heat assessment, where Dr. Nimish Gupta introduced participants to the use of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) in urban climate studies. He conducted a hands-on session to identify urban heat centers and demonstrated methods for capturing key heat drivers.

Day 2

The second day began with a tour of the AAETI campus, highlighting its sustainable features and their role in minimizing environmental impact while enhancing climate resilience and resource circularity. The tour showcased how natural topography and extensive vegetation are strategically utilized to reduce heat gains and facilitate wastewater treatment, among other benefits. This day’s classroom sessions focused on circularity, emphasizing resource efficiency in waste, water, and energy systems to promote sustainable urban development. The sessions commenced with Mr. Rajneesh Sareen’s lecture on solid waste management and estimation methodology focusing on circularity aspects. This was followed by a session by Ms. Mitashi Singh on the construction and demolition waste ecosystem, emphasizing the need for resource efficiency through case studies from various cities. Later, Mr. Rajneesh Sareen elaborated on the water-energy nexus, stressing the importance of integrating water and energy management strategies. Ms. Mitashi Singh then conducted a session on Water-Sensitive Urban Planning and Design, demonstrating concepts aimed at enhancing urban resilience. The post-lunch session focused on thermal comfort, where Ms. Gargi Dwivedi discussed the impact of urban heat at both the building and neighborhood scale and strategies for mitigation. She highlighted strategies for mitigating urban heat and enhancing thermal comfort through retrofitting strategies such as cool roofs, green roofs, and increased tree cover. The session underscored the need for integrating these strategies into urban planning to create more climate-resilient cities. Participant then engaged in a group exercise, where they analyzed a neighborhood plan and proposed practical heat mitigating solutions at neighborhood scale. The day concluded with a hands-on session on urban heat mapping, using microclimate simulation techniques.

Day 3

On the third day, participants presented their findings on retrofitting urban layouts for sustainability and climate resilience, proposing strategies like increasing green cover, enhancing shading, and integrating water-sensitive design. They then explored renewable energy integration, evaluating the feasibility of solar, wind, and bioenergy solutions in urban areas. Mr. Rajneesh Sareen then introduced the Cooling Master Plan, covering renewable cooling strategies, energy conservation codes, heat recovery systems, and urban renewable energy integration. He highlighted optimal deployment locations for district cooling, solar-assisted cooling, and waste-heat utilization, emphasizing strategic planning to enhance energy efficiency and heat resilience. In the next session, Mr. Sareen discussed climate change and its impact on health, addressing risks from rising temperatures, air pollution, and shifting disease patterns. He explained how extreme heat exacerbates heat-related illnesses, respiratory disorders, and vector-borne diseases. The day ended with Ms. Sayani Sen's session on heat vulnerability assessment, highlighting key factors—exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity—to identify at-risk populations. Participants gained insights into urban heat risks and targeted intervention strategies.

Day 4

On the final day, Ms. Sayani Sen led a session on flood vulnerability assessment, discussing key risk factors and resilience strategies. This was followed by a session on Enhancing Resilience to Flooding in Navsari, India, led by Mr. Mehul M. Patel from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He demonstrated various mitigation strategies for urban areas, emphasizing nature-based solutions, improved stormwater management, and resilient infrastructure planning to minimize flood risks. Participants then presented their group exercise findings, proposing strategies to reduce urban heat stress, optimize cooling loads, estimate solar and biomass energy potential, and identify heat recovery opportunities. The training provided practical insights on climate resilience and resource circularity, with participants appreciating its relevance and real-world impact.