UPSC Notes

Urban Heat Island Effect

PYQs

10

Articles

2

Momentum

26

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Crucial for understanding urban planning challenges, sustainable development, climate change adaptation in cities, public health, and environmental management in rapidly urbanizing India.

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect describes the phenomenon where urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas, primarily due to human activities, dense construction, and the prevalence of heat-absorbing surfaces like concrete and asphalt.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Causes

Dense building structures, dark impervious surfaces (roads, roofs), reduced vegetation cover, and anthropogenic heat generation from vehicles and industries.

Impacts

Exacerbates heat stress during heatwaves, increases energy consumption for cooling, and can worsen air quality.

Manifestation

Hyderabad, despite not always recording the highest regional temperatures, is identified as having a 'strong urban heat island' effect.

Mitigation

Strategies include increasing green spaces, using cool roofs and pavements, and implementing sustainable urban planning.

Temperature Differential

Urban areas can be 2°C to 10°C hotter than surrounding rural areas.

Consequences

Contributes to increased energy consumption for cooling and worsened air quality.

Exacerbation

Exacerbates the impact of global warming in urban settings.

Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 10 linked questions on Urban Heat Island Effect in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Urban Heat Island Effect

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter. Statement...

2023·Geography
Solve

The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons? 1. Thermal difference...

2013·Geography
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement I: In January, in the Northern Hemisphere, the isotherms bend equatorward while crossing the landmasses, and po...

2025·Geography
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of...

2021·Geography
Solve

With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is...

2020·Geography
Solve

Consider the following statements: I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth's surface. II. Heat abs...

2025·Geography
Solve

Consider the following states: 1. Chhattisgarh 2. Madhya Pradesh 3. Maharashtra 4. Odisha With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percenta...

2019·Geography
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to poles. Statement-II: At the equat...

2024·Geography
Solve

With reference to the climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. The climate can be defined as a humid, t...

2026·Geography
Solve

One of the following regions has the world's largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and...

2024·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Editorial & Review Process

Every revision note and practice question on UPSC Practice is researched using authoritative primary sources and reviewed for factual accuracy, syllabus relevance, and exam value. Read our Editorial Policy.

Verified Quality