MAINS 2013
GS1
5 marks
Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world.
WRITE IN
4 min
100 words
What the examiner wants
Bring out why cities become warmer than surrounding rural areas.
Bring outMake the main points or contrast clear with examples.
Demand-wise check
- 1Surfaces: concrete and asphalt with low albedo and high heat storage≈15 words
- 2Less vegetation and water, so less evapotranspiration cooling≈15 words
- 3Urban canyons trap long-wave radiation; reduced wind≈15 words
- 4Anthropogenic heat from vehicles, ACs, industry; pollution dome traps heat at night≈15 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
DefinitionPhysical causesHuman causesNote on night-time effect
Where marks usually go
- Writing effects and remedies instead of causes
- Confusing heat islands with heat waves
Draw this
- Temperature profile curve from rural edge to city centre
Value addition
- PolicyAhmedabad Heat Action Plan (2013) was the first in South Asia.Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, 2013
- PolicyTelangana Cool Roofs Policy (2023) promotes reflective roofs.Government of Telangana, 2023
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 4 minutes, then get it checked.