Research Project on the Experience and Impact of Heat in Informal Settlements

SHA was commissioned by the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad to conduct long-term multi-disciplinary research on the question of heat in urban areas, with a focus on informal settlements in Hyderabad, Telangana. We developed several methodological approaches in order to understand what the experience and impact of heat is on residents in such settlements. The project was part of an international partnership between universities and think tanks from four different countries. The project consisted of the following aspects:

• Develop a 3 dimensional information model of the built form of a selected settlement in order to understand heat from a building sciences point of view;
• Develop broad heat-based settlement typologies that informal settlements and slums in Hyderabad can be categorized into in order to direct policy and practice;
• Deploy temperature and humidity sensors/data loggers and aggregate the data into a human-readable dashboard;
• Design and deploy instruments for collecting data on people’s perception of heat over the year, and;
• Develop communication and pedagogical material on heat in urban areas.

The results of the research project are available at heatingcities.in, a blog developed by SHA to host the data analytics from the project and reflections from the team that worked on the project. SHA acknowledges the contribution of Hyderabad Urban Lab and the Dalit Women’s Collective, which were invaluable collaborators on the project.