Mumbai Heat Resilience Action

Heat resilience in Mumbai is delivered through coordinated actions embedded within the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP), which positions extreme heat as a priority climate risk and operationalizes solutions through citywide planning, early warnings, greening, and community-led adaptation.

Mumbai is experiencing one of the fastest warming trends in India: temperatures have risen 0.25°C per decade since 1973, and heatwaves now regularly exceed 40°C. Informal settlements show 5–8°C higher land surface temperatures than surrounding areas, exacerbating vulnerability. In response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP), the first in South and West Asia aligned with the Paris Agreement, to embed heat resilience into planning, budgeting, and service delivery.

The initiative combines scientific assessment, policy reform, cooling infrastructure, early warning systems, and community-led green interventions. It reached more than 500,000 residents, deployed 100+ sensors for real-time monitoring, and expanded 1,200+ cooling shelters. MCAP also pioneered India’s first city-level Climate Budget (2024), institutionalizing long-term investment in resilience.

MCAP operationalizes heat resilience through a structured, phased approach for assessment, planning, and response.

1. Baseline Assessment

• Land Surface Temperature (LST) mapping using LandSat 8 and WRI India tools .
• Identification of heat hotspots, showing informal settlements as 5–8°C hotter.
• Analysis of 47-year warming trend and heatwave frequency.

2. Policy and Planning

• Integration of heat resilience into Mumbai’s Climate Action Plan and Climate Budget.
• Development of ward-level heat protocols and guidelines.
• Use of community workshops to co-design priority actions (Case Study 9)  .

3. Preparedness & Response Systems

• Temperature-based alert thresholds linked to IMD forecasts.
• Protocols for drinking water distribution, health surveillance, and emergency transport.
• Activation of heat shelters across public buildings during extreme events.

4. Cooling Infrastructure & Urban Nature

Actions co-developed with communities include:

• Tree-lined streets, micro-parks, and ecological planting schemes 
• Rooftop greening pilots and cool-roof demonstrations
• Shaded public areas and heat-resilient pavements
• Use of local materials and circular principles for greening

5. Community Participation

• Workshops involving NGOs, ward representatives, and technical experts.
• Identification of neighborhood “Greening Champions” to support implementation.
• Participatory mapping using biodiversity registers and community land audits.

A multi-level coalition of local, national, and global partners enabled coordinated implementation.

• Local government: BMC’s health, gardens, disaster management, and ward departments led delivery with strong participation from community groups.

• National agencies: IMD and relevant climate institutions provided forecasting, alerts, and technical guidance.

• International partners: C40 Cities, WRI India, the World Bank, UNEP, and UN-Habitat supported planning, analytics, and capacity building.

• Research institutions: Universities and experts contributed baseline studies, heat mapping, and evidence to guide interventions.

A layered communication model ensured timely alerts and widespread behavioural change.

• Heatwave warnings issued through TV, radio, SMS, and mobile applications.

• Community workshops held in schools, neighbourhood centres, and senior facilities.

• Behaviour change campaigns promoting hydration, shade, cool roofs, and tree stewardship.

• Posters, infographics, and public messaging deployed in informal settlements and transit hubs.

Mumbai combined municipal climate budgeting with external support to secure sustained investment.

• Municipal Budget: BMC allocated approximately $20 million towards urban heat mitigation measures.
   
• International Climate Funds: Secured $15 million in funding from global climate adaptation programs.
   
• Private Sector Participation: Public-private partnerships contributed an additional $10 million towards green infrastructure projects.

These are internal allocations from the previous budget:

• Heat mapping & sensors: US$0.5–1M (multi-year).
• Cooling shelters & emergency systems: US$2–3M.
• Urban greening & micro-parks: US$3–5M over three years.
• Community engagement: US$0.2–0.5M.

The initiative delivered measurable cooling benefits, improved public health outcomes, and strengthened institutional capacity.

• 1–3°C temperature reductions in pilot zones through greening, shading, and cool-roof interventions.

• Lower heat exposure in informal settlements, where micro-greening and shade projects eased extreme surface temperatures.

• Reduced heat-related illnesses and hospital visits, supported by clearer warnings, expanded cooling shelters, and targeted outreach.

• Greater community preparedness, with over 500,000 residents reached through alerts, workshops, and behaviour change campaigns.

• Improved coordination across BMC departments, enabling faster action on heat alerts, water access, health surveillance, and emergency support.

• Expanded green cover and shaded public areas, improving thermal comfort and reducing urban heat island intensity.

• Heat resilience embedded in long-term planning, with the Climate Budget ensuring predictable funding and integration across city systems.

Several structural and operational constraints slowed implementation.

• Limited historical data for accurate modelling and early risk mapping.

• Initial community resistance to new mitigation practices and behavioural shifts.

• Difficulty securing long-term financing for maintenance and expansion.

• Dense urban form and limited public space restricting greening potential.

• Maintenance challenges for rooftop and micro-greening initiatives.

Mumbai offers a replicable model for large, high-density coastal cities facing rapid warming:

Transferable elements include:

• Evidence-led heat mapping and hotspot identification

• Integration of heat action into climate budgets

• Cooling shelters and community-based warning systems

• Participatory greening and micro-infrastructure improvements

• Use of sensors and real-time data for governance

MCAP shows that even highly constrained megacities can build heat resilience by combining data, planning, community leadership, and steady municipal investment. With sustained political will and inclusive participation, Mumbai is turning extreme heat from an escalating threat into a catalyst for greener, healthier, and more equitable urban development.

• Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP)
• Towards heat-resiliet buildings in Indian cities
• World Bank: Urban Heat Management in the Global South (Handbook)

Nikhil Mene
Assistant Engineer (Env. & C.C.),
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC),
City of Mumbai