Combating climate change-induced heat stress: Assessing cool roofs and its impact on the indoor ambient temperature of the households in the Urban slums of Ahmedabad

Cool roof technologies significantly reduce indoor temperatures in urban slums, offering a practical solution to combat climate change-induced heat stress. A study in Ahmedabad found that interventions such as Thermocol insulation, solar reflective white paint, and Modroof effectively lowered indoor temperatures compared to traditional materials like tin or asbestos/cement sheets. These findings are crucial for vulnerable populations, particularly slum dwellers, where inadequate housing structures exacerbate health risks during extreme heat events. The research utilized data loggers to measure temperature and humidity, alongside socioeconomic surveys, providing a comprehensive assessment of cool roof performance. This approach is scalable and adaptable, making it a viable solution for informal settlements in developing countries where formal housing solutions are often inaccessible.

Dutta, P., Vellingiri, S., Singh, S., Sathish, L., Pingle, S., & Brahmbhatt, B. (2020). Combating climate change-induced heat stress: Assessing cool roofs and its impact on the indoor ambient temperature of the households in the Urban slums of Ahmedabad. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 24(1), 25. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_120_19