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This policy brief outlines recommendations for health professionals in Ahmedabad, India, to address heat vulnerability. It highlights the city's role as the first in India to establish a comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat, emphasizing the importance of inter-departmental collaboration and the use of urban health centers and link workers to reach vulnerable populations.

This case study describes the development and implementation of the Heat Action Plan in Ahmedabad, India. Led by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in partnership with academic and environmental groups, the plan established the first comprehensive early warning system and heat preparedness strategy in South Asia to protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat.

This guide by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the technical, operational, and institutional barriers that prevent disaster risk assessments from effectively informing public policy and investment decisions. Drawing on research from Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as case studies from Ghana, India, and Pakistan, the document provides a framework for improving the 'uptake' of risk information to support the successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA2).

This research paper, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in April 2014, examines strategies for implementing climate compatible development at the subnational level (cities, districts, and provinces) across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It identifies specific challenges, such as scientific uncertainty and limited resources, and highlights opportunities for local innovation and the use of indigenous knowledge. The paper provides a framework of effective strategies, including the use of knowledge partnerships and participatory processes, and discusses the necessity of scaling these local successes up to national levels and out to other jurisdictions to achieve global transformational change.

This executive summary distils findings from the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report specifically for South Asia. It details observed climate changes, projected risks to food and water security, and the necessity of integrating adaptation and mitigation strategies into regional development to protect vulnerable populations and economic growth.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) distils the findings of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) specifically for South Asia. It outlines how climate change is already impacting the region through temperature extremes and sea-level rise, and projects future risks including food and water shortages, flood damage, and heat-related mortality. The document emphasizes the necessity of integrating adaptation and mitigation into long-term development planning to avoid 'maladaptation' and leverage co-benefits across sectors such as agriculture, energy, transport, and urban planning.

This fact sheet from the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) outlines its activities and research projects in India as of March 2013. The document highlights efforts to integrate climate change and disaster risk reduction (DRR) into policy, specifically focusing on heat-health vulnerability in Ahmadabad, disaster management in Leh, and the promotion of climate-adapted shelter design and green construction.

This 2013 policy brief provides recommendations for government officials in Ahmedabad, India, to mitigate the deadly health impacts of extreme heat. It highlights Ahmedabad's role as the first Indian city to develop a heat-health early warning system and suggests specific interventions, such as creating a nodal coordination office, implementing 'cool roofs' (white china mosaic), expanding urban green cover, and improving labor protections for outdoor workers. The brief emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary coordination between meteorological services, health departments, and municipal administration to protect vulnerable populations, particularly in slum communities.

This report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and its EMBARQ network analyzes the modernization of public transport in 13 cities across Latin America and Asia. It focuses on the implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, comparing their performance, costs, and operational challenges to provide a synthesis of lessons learned for urban planners in developing nations.

This fact sheet describes the India-UK Smart Cities for Growth partnership, focusing on enhancing the climate resilience and sustainability of Indian urban centers. It details various initiatives, including the 'Future Proofing Indian Cities' programme, disaster proofing of digital infrastructure, and the development of heat action plans to mitigate the risks of extreme temperatures.

This report by the World Resources Institute synthesizes findings from a review of major bus improvements in 13 cities across Latin America and Asia. It evaluates the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned regarding the planning, implementation, and operation of bus systems, specifically focusing on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to provide recommendations for urban transport planners in developing nations.

This working paper examines the relationship between urban expansion and the loss of natural infrastructure (blue-green cover) across India's 10 most populated cities between 2000 and 2015. Using remote sensing and satellite imagery, the study highlights how increased paved surfaces lead to reduced groundwater recharge and higher flood risks, recommending an integrated urban blue-green approach to planning to increase resilience.

This fact sheet introduces the 'Towards a More Equal City' series by the World Resources Institute, which provides a roadmap for cities—particularly in the global south—to close the 'urban services divide' through seven cross-sectoral transformations to improve equity, prosperity, and sustainability.