Urban Climate Research and Extreme Events

Issuing Body:

The Climate Change Programme under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), India.

Objective:

The initiative aims to tackle urban climate challenges such as extreme heat, urban heat islands, flooding, air pollution, public health threats, and biodiversity loss. The goal is to promote research, innovation, and strategic knowledge development to build resilience and improve the quality of life in urban areas, while aligning with India’s National Mission on Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change (NMSKCC).

Key Objectives:

Advanced Simulations and Understanding of Urban Microclimate:
- Urban microclimate simulations at a hyperlocal scale.
- Advanced machine learning approaches to capture extremes and their spatial variability.
Urban Early Warning:
- Hyperlocal urban early warning systems for air pollution, temperature extremes, rainfall extremes, and flooding.
- Co-developing sector-specific decision tools.
Adaptation Gap and Design:
- Hyperlocal vulnerability maps for cities and urban regions.
- Strategies for observational networks within cities.

Scope of Research:

Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect: Understanding how urban areas retain more heat compared to surrounding rural areas due to structural and ecological changes.
Urban Flooding: Research on the causes and prevention of flooding in urban areas due to excessive rainfall or water overflow.
Social Vulnerabilities to Extremes: Examining the impact of socio-economic factors on a community's preparedness and resilience.
Urban Health Problems: Exploring how climate change exacerbates environment-related diseases.

Funding Schemes:

Major Research & Development Programme (MRDP) on Urban Climate Research & Extreme Event:
- Budget Ceiling: ?3 Crore
- Duration: 3 Years
R&D Programme on Urban Climate Research & Extreme Event:
- Budget Ceiling: ?1 Crore
- Duration: 3 Years

Eligibility Criteria:

Educational Background:
- The Principal Investigator (PI) should hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in fields such as Climate Science, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Meteorology, or related disciplines.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of relevant post-doctoral experience in urban climate, climate change adaptation, or urban sustainability.
Collaboration:
- The PI must have a minimum of 3 years of experience collaborating with Government Ministries like DST, Ministry of Earth Sciences, or MoEFCC.