Impact of Historic Stepwells on Climate Mitigation and Adaptation

Our research aims to explore how the revitalisation of historic blue infrastructures of socio-cultural significance can act as effective climate mitigation strategies in the hot-desert city of Jodhpur, India. Specifically, we are seeking to quantify the contribution of historic stepwells to microclimate moderation and local heat resilience. At the same time, we have been examining the social ecosystem of stepwells - local communities' engagement with them historically and today, and forms of localised water governance – to understand the significance of environmental factors for everyday life.

Research methods have included a thermal comfort survey involving 300 local residents and tourists, alongside simultaneous microclimate measurements (including air temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH), globe temperature (GT), and wind speed (WS) of one prominent stepwell. Participants commented on their perceptions of RH, solar radiation (SD), WS, and dust conditions, while researchers simultaneously recorded skin-wetness and clothing. Research has also involved ethnographic methods to understand the social life of the stepwells today.

Initial results indicate that stepwells are effective in heat mitigation - most survey respondents described their experience around the stepwells as "enjoyable and pleasant." As they descended into the stepwell, typically, their perceptions of heat, shade, and thermal comfort altered favourably while becoming less positive as they moved away. A range of activities characterise the stepwell’s social use highlighting clear interdependencies between thermal conditions, cultural practices, water and architecture. Ongoing research is involving detailed data analysis and the development of regression models and structural equation models to establish causal relationships between objective environmental conditions and individuals' subjective thermal and socio-cultural perceptions.

Overall, this research is generating valuable insights into how conserving the tangible-built heritage can inform climate change mitigation and governance policies. These findings will be useful at both local and global levels, promoting sustainability from both environmental and socio-cultural perspectives.