Under the influence of climate change, scorching days are becoming increasingly frequent, putting serious pressure on urban residents' health, electricity supply, and labor productivity. Uzbekistan is also among the countries at high risk of heat waves, drought, and water scarcity. The World Bank notes that extreme weather events in our country directly affect agriculture, the economy, and the population's well-being.
Under such conditions, cooling buildings with air conditioners alone is not enough. This method sharply increases electricity consumption and places an additional load on power grids. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is drawing attention to passive cooling solutions applied in India, that is, maintaining moderate indoor temperatures without consuming large amounts of energy. These measures include special sun-reflective coatings, natural ventilation, and thermal insulation of walls.
For example, the roofs of major bus stops in Delhi are being upgraded with a special coating that reflects at least 80% of solar heat. It has been estimated that building social housing in India on the basis of natural ventilation and thermal insulation can lower indoor temperatures by about 3 degrees and cut electricity consumption by up to 35%. In Chennai, the hottest areas are being mapped, and greening and passive cooling measures for them are being incorporated into the master plan.
This experience is relevant for Uzbekistan as well. First of all, it is necessary to develop a map of "heat islands" in cities with high heat levels, such as Tashkent, Nukus, Bukhara, Navoi, Karshi, and Termez. In areas with abundant asphalt and concrete and few trees, temperatures are higher than elsewhere. In this regard, the World Bank emphasizes that dense construction, a shortage of green areas, and heat-retaining surfaces intensify the impact of extreme heat in cities.
At the first stage, "cool roof" technology can be piloted in schools, polyclinics, kindergartens, markets, bus stops, and social housing. This does not always require expensive equipment: light-colored, sun-reflective coatings, external awnings, and insulation of roofs and walls can also deliver noticeable results. New building codes should set specific requirements for building orientation, natural ventilation, window shading, and courtyard greening.
This approach is also consistent with national architectural traditions. Solutions such as thick walls, inner courtyards, the ayvon (a covered terrace), fountains, and tree shade served for centuries as means of adapting to a hot climate. Combining modern technologies with this heritage will make cities cooler, more energy-efficient, and more livable.
Testing India's experience in Uzbekistan's cities through pilot projects will help save electricity, protect public health, and build climate-resilient infrastructure.