How can Building Materials and Urban Design Strategies Contribute to Temperature Reduction at the Campus Level

Authors- Professor Ar. Rahul Dongre, Krati Jindal

Abstract--In today’s world, rising temperatures and rapid urban development are creating serious environmental problems in cities. One of the biggest challenges is the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, where cities become much hotter compare to their surrounding rural areas due to the loss of green spaces, the use of heat-absorbing materials, and poor urban planning. This heat makes cities thermally uncomfortable, increase heat energy use for air conditioning, and affects people’s health. This research paper explain how building materials and urban design strategies can help reduce high temperatures at a campus level. Campuses are often large spaces with many buildings and open areas, so they are ideal locations to apply smart design ideas that reduce heat and improve comfort. The study looks at different types of materials like high albedo surfaces, insulation panels, phase change materials (PCMs), and eco-friendly bricks and how they help in keeping buildings cooler. There is also some studies of urban design strategies like planting trees, using green roofs, creating water bodies, and designing open spaces that allow airflow and shade. These techniques not only lower the surface and air temperature but also reduce the need for artificial cooling systems, and saving energy and also making the campus more sustainable.

DOI: /10.61463/ijset.vol.13.issue2.451