Abstract

Cities are warming rapidly and urban heat is already affecting liveability, labour productivity, and human health. Nature-based solutions such as green roofs, increased urban tree cover, and demarcating space for urban green spaces and parks are identified as promising strategies to deal with and prepare for this increasing urban heat. However, a noticeable omission in this literature is examining how smaller urban green spaces, such as fragmented urban green spaces and rooftop home gardens, contribute to hyperlocal temperature regulation and indoor thermal comfort. In this paper, we take the case of rooftop home gardens in Bangalore city, India to examine whether they regulate indoor temperature and provide thermal comfort. We draw on perception-based data through a household survey and in-depth interviews, and modelled scenarios data to examine heat regulation potentials of different types of rooftop home gardens. This illustrative case from Bangalore provides early insights into the role of urban gardening in regulating urban heat and has relevance for national policies on retrofitting and planning for climate-resilient and liveable homes and cities.