Maharashtra, July 31, 2025: In a step toward climate-resilient urban development, the Chandrapur City Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat India (AKAH India) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly implement integrated heat and flood mitigation solutions across the city. The partnership, supported by Tata Trusts, is focused on fostering community-led and data-informed strategies for sustainable development.
As part of the initiative, over 200 low-income homes in vulnerable neighborhoods will be retrofitted with passive cooling technologies aimed at significantly reducing indoor heat stress during peak summers. The partnership will also introduce scientific tools like Land Surface Temperature (LST) analysis, Urban Heat Island (UHI) mapping, and Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment (HVRA) to guide climate-resilient infrastructure planning.
Additional measures include green retrofitting of public buildings—such as schools and municipal offices—with water- and energy-efficient appliances, as well as the development of green spaces to demonstrate climate-smart design. The collaboration also covers flood mitigation efforts, guided by hydraulic and hydrogeological studies. Pilot projects such as permeable paver blocks and recharge wells will be implemented to manage stormwater runoff and prevent urban flooding.
Highlighting the importance of local participation, the initiative will train community members through the Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) framework. These trainings aim to build a network of first responders and foster community-level preparedness for climate-induced disasters.
“Chandrapur’s unique topography and socio-economic diversity demand climate solutions that are both locally rooted and scientifically informed. Through this partnership with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat India and Tata Trusts, we are taking a significant step toward addressing the dual challenges of extreme heat and urban flooding—risks that are growing more urgent each year. By leveraging data-driven strategies, innovative technologies, and strong community engagement, this initiative strengthens our commitment to building a climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Chandrapur for generations to come,” said Shri Vipin Paliwal, Commissioner, Chandrapur City Municipal Corporation.
Ms. Prerana Langa, Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat India, added, “This MoU is an important step toward building climate resilience through practical, community-based solutions. We will combine scientific assessments and hands-on approaches to address Chandrapur’s challenges related to heat and flooding. Our goal is to support Chandrapur with a model of adaptive urban transformation. We are grateful to the Chandrapur City Municipal Corporation and Tata Trusts for their vision and commitment, and look forward to building a safer, greener, and inclusive city together.”
The project will be jointly governed by a Steering Committee and implemented under project-specific agreements, with an emphasis on quality standards and collaborative governance.
This partnership positions Chandrapur as a model for cities looking to address climate risks through inclusive, evidence-based urban strategies.
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