Explore strategies of how Palava maintains its temperature and air quality Explore strategies of how Palava maintains its temperature and air quality

Global temperatures are rising at an alarming rate, affecting ecosystems, weather patterns, and human lives. The 10 hottest years in recorded history have all occurred since 2010. In India, heatwave conditions have become more frequent and severe, with average annual temperature having increased by about 0.7°C (1.3°F) between 1901 and 2018. These deadly heat waves claimed over 22,000 lives between 1992 and 2015.

At Lodha, we recognize that as India’s rapid urbanisation and growing economic prosperity, may trigger a notable upswing in energy demand, it’s crucial to prioritise sustainable urban planning. Palava City has been designed with a strong focus on sustainable living, optimising environmental benefits, and minimising environmental urban impact. A 2023 land surface temperature study reported that Palava City’s maximum temperature is consistently 3 degrees cooler than Kalyan-Dombivli and 2 degrees cooler than Mumbai, showcasing the effectiveness of thoughtful urban design and climate-resilient strategies.

How does Palava City keep it cool?

Palava City’s cooler temperatures are achieved through a series of thoughtful decisions made throughout the construction process. Key strategies include:

  • Orientation and Design: The strategic orientation of buildings and city blocks maximizes airflow and natural ventilation, creating comfortably shaded outdoor spaces. Within homes, heat gain is minimized through the use of high-performance glazing, shading techniques, and an optimal window-to-wall ratio. These measures, along with enhanced natural ventilation, reduce the need for energy-intensive cooling solutions and contribute to a more sustainable living environment.
  • Use of Reflective Materials and Paint: High Solar Reflective Index (SRI) paints and materials are used on rooftops, external walls, pavements, and roads to reflect sunlight and minimize heat absorption. This helps lower surface temperatures and prevents excessive heat build-up, keeping both outdoor and indoor areas cooler and reducing the reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems.
  • Enhanced Blue and Green Infrastructure: ~32 thousand trees at Palava create extensive tree canopies that provide ample shade and result in cooler surroundings compared to areas with minimal greenery. This green cover, combined with numerous water bodies, regulates temperatures and improves microclimate conditions, enhancing comfort and promoting a sustainable and resilient urban environment. This has helped the temperature in Palava, Kalyan to be lower than the weather of Mumbai.

These initiatives not only make Palava a model for sustainable development but also help maintain air quality levels significantly better than surrounding urban areas. Palava’s AQI falls under the good category (0-50 AQI) for approximately 50% of the time in a year, as compared to Mumbai (reading recorded in Worli) which is 25% of the time. Palava maintains an AQI below 100 (Satisfactory AQI) for 350 days a year (96% of the time), significantly outperforming Mumbai (215 days, 59% of the time).

Given Lodha’s sustainability vision, we launched the Lodha Net Zero Urban Accelerator, in partnership with RMI, to catalyse transformative action, fostering collaborations and mobilising resources to lead the transition to net-zero and sustainable development. As a living laboratory, Palava City exemplifies the effectiveness of these efforts, demonstrating how urban centers can be developed to prioritise environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

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