Urban Resilience: Framework and Policy for Heat Mitigation by addressing UHI Effects, Lucknow

Lucknow's urban footprint has expanded significantly in a relatively short time. The city's built-up area essentially doubled, leaping from approximately 521 km² in 2014 to over 1,041 km² by 2019. This surge was fueled by both urban sprawl and a rising population. From 2002 to 2014, the city's urban area experienced a 39% increase, while the average temperature rose by 0.75 °C. This swift transformation has altered land use patterns, reduced green and permeable spaces, and intensified the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect across the city. Heat stress has extended outside the downtown area. Increased surface temperatures are recorded at multiple locations along the Gomti River, with industrial areas routinely displaying the highest measurements.

This study presents a planning-centric methodology that utilizes spatial analysis, focused modelling, and localized observations to tackle urban heat in Lucknow. Multi-temporal satellite data were employed to derive land surface temperature and relevant indices of land-use change, vegetation cover, and built-up area density. A model based on U-Net architecture was developed to refine the identification of built-up and surface material patterns, while key morphological parameters including building height, density, shape complexity, and contiguity were incorporated to capture the influence of urban form on thermal behavior. These inputs enabled the delineation of priority heat zones across the city.

Site investigations and preliminary surveys revealed unique thermal profiles associated with pavement materials, surface treatments, and urban patterns, especially in the historic regions of Old Lucknow. Industrial regions that encounter heightened solar radiation and substantial exposure require mitigation strategies. These initiatives should concentrate on materials and energy-positive solutions while simultaneously reducing adverse environmental effects. This study presents a zonal heat mitigation framework, which classifies urban areas based on land use, material characteristics, and morphological attributes, thus enabling context-specific planning and design approaches.

By linking urban climate assessment with statutory planning instruments, the proposed framework demonstrates a transferable approach for integrating heat resilience into urban planning in rapidly urbanising cities of the Global South.

 

Keywords: Urban Heat Island (UHI); Urban Resilience; Land Surface Temperature; Microclimate Simulation; Urban Greening; Solar Potential; Heat Mitigation Policy Framework