Instructor: Abhinandan Bera

Urban Ecology & Assistant Professor

Department of Architecture and Planning
Environmental Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra
Planning (AR 605) Contact: abera@bitmesra.ac.in /
+917595957828
 In the last class
We saw impact of urbanization in Ladakh.
But what other environmental regions are there?
How does climate differ accordingly?
 Today we will learn…
About climates in developing countries
Common mitigation strategies against extreme climates
And ecoregions of India
Climates of the developing world
Common features of developing world
Low altitudes; Generally higher annual average temperatures
Diverse thermal comfort and energy use
- Warm, humid – low latitudes of the equatorial belt.
- High, but not excessively high; high humidity
- Low temperature swings (daily & seasonal)
- Hot, dry
- High peak daytime temperatures; Low humidity
- High temperature swings
- Composite or monsoon climates
- Share characteristics of both of the above climates
- Occasional cool season
Impact of air conditioning
Prestige
Association with high costs of living, and building construction.
Automatically considered as an essential for new buildings.
Air quality
Poor air quality leads to a reduced reliance on natural ventilation.
Increased health hazards due to air quality leads to a natural preference in certain specific
land-uses and leads to a trade-off with high energy prices.
Noise
Increased noise pollution in the mechanized and industrial city leads to a repulsion from
open-ventilation and a preference for closed, controlled environments.
Impact of air conditioning
Temperatures
Urban heat island effects have led to increased temperatures in cities.
Effects of climate change have also caused a steady increase in global temperatures.
Conservations
Certain specific land uses and user requirements necessitate controlled temperatures for
conservation of materials (such as in museums), or for health purposes (hospitals).
Internal gains
Increased use of mechanized living standards, computers, and heavy machinery has led to
high internal gains of temperature leading to an increased requirement of air-conditioning.
Increased areas of impervious surfaces have contributed significantly towards the internal
gain of temperature in built spaces and neighborhoods.
Vicious cycles in mitigating climate
Urban Heat Islands and thermal discomfort

Transportation corridors and air quality

Paved areas and radiation

Increased use of refrigeration > CFC > Impacts

on the Ozone layer and ultraviolet radiation
Mitigating climates of the developing world
Cross-ventilation
Narrow streets of cities in middle east, north Africa
- Provide shade and protection from the hot, dusty winds
- Retain night temperature
- Large, treeless squares (comfortable conditions in the evening)
Enclosed patios and courtyards (provides shade)
Environmental zones of India
The Trans-Himalayan Region
The Himalayan Region
The Indian Desert
The Semi-Arid Region
The Western Ghats
The Deccan Peninsula
The Gangetic Plain
The Coastal Region
The North-East
The Indian Islands
Source: ECO Zones of India — Vikaspedia