Bhubaneswar Unveils Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, in partnership with the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST), unveiled the Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan (IHCAP) for the city on September 2nd. The plan was developed in collaboration with the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC). It aims to provide a comprehensive strategy for managing the challenges posed by rising temperatures, increased humidity, the Urban Heat Island effect, and the growing demand for air conditioning.

Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das discussed the research conducted by iFOREST in collaboration with the Singapore-ETH Centre, focusing on heatwaves and rising temperatures in the city. The Mayor explained that the IHCAP addresses the impact of urbanization and deforestation, offering suggestions on how to compensate for these effects through increased green spaces and tree planting initiatives.

iFOREST CEO Chandra Bhushan emphasized the unique nature of the IHCAP, highlighting its dual focus on mitigating the effects of rising heat and managing the increasing demand for air conditioning. He noted that the report was the result of an 18-month preparation process. The plan incorporates technical modeling and analysis conducted through the Cooling Singapore Program.

Ander Zozaya, Project Manager at Cooling Singapore, ETH Centre, acknowledged the data provided by iFOREST and expressed satisfaction with the progress made. He highlighted the collaborative approach involving various government agencies and the importance of analyzing and studying the data to support the implementation of the Integrated Heat and Cooling Action Plan in Bhubaneswar.