Deteriorating Urban Climate and its Long Term Effects on Human Health in Developing Countries

There are multiple causes of urban climate effects in expanding and amalgamating cities in developing countries. A large number of people migrate to cities in search of employment. Because of expansive housing majority of them live in houses having poor ventilation and low sunlight mainly in slums, urbanised villages and unauthorised constructs. By the time a few thousand planned houses are built, nearly ten times unplanned structures come up. Overpopulation, traffic congestion, no trees, poor sanitation, air pollution, waste and waste water etc. affect the city's temperature badly. Many places have heat islands within heat islands. This is contrast to conditions in developed world.

                                                                    

In past fifty years the cities have expanded many folds. The people have to travel long distances in overcrowded public transport. Travelling in the cities is difficult due to traffic jams, overcrowded transport, and longer distances. About thirty years ago people used to take 10-15 minutes to reach their workplace. Now travelling time is nearly 2 hours for majority of people. In some cities like Mumbai, many people from other cities take up to 6 hours a day to reach their workplace. In cities where temperatures are touching 50 deg C the conditions are more dangerous, particularly when the people stuck in traffic jams. People commuting to work place generally move in morning and evening. School children usually come out of schools when it is extreme hot. Many use public transport and have to wait for vehicle standing in polluted hot air. Though the Government efforts are no way less to reduce carbon emissions and providing facilities, prevailing conditions will affect health of people as they face continuous stress, heat, and tiredness. The middle and low income groups, use low cost transport, are most affected and they face extra stress in living in such conditions.