Heat in the City: Investigating Urban Heat Islands, Drivers, and Their Impacts

Research on the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect has grown substantially in recent years. India, as the world’s most populous country and the fifth-largest economy, has experienced rapid urbanisation over the past decades. According to the World Bank Group, India’s urban population is expected to reach 600 million people, or 40% of the total population, by 2036 — an increase from 31% in 2011. This rapid urbanisation has contributed to a 60% increase in warming across Indian cities, with Tier-II cities in the eastern region being the most affected (Sethi & Vinoj, 2024). In addition to the effects of urbanisation, land availability is becoming increasingly scarce due to the rising demand for agricultural production and population growth. The swift transformation of rural areas into urban centres is happening at an unprecedented
pace, significantly disrupting ecosystems and altering their natural functions.