A new exhibition spotlights the impact of heat stress on informal workers
Madhe Gowda, a fruit vendor in Bengaluru's Whitefield area, noticed the rising heat in the city about four years ago. Working for more than12 hours a day, mostly under the scorching sun, means headaches and falling sick frequently. 'There isn't a way for us to avoid this heat," he says. Gowda is among the over 400 million informal workers in India's labour force who bear the brunt of heat stress every day.
A new exhibition in Bengaluru, Sweat and Concrete 2025, explored how art can draw focus to the heat stress crisis. The exhibition was organized on 29-30 May by People First Cities, an initiative by social movement incubator Purpose. 'If you look at the narrative around heat stress right now, it's alarming. How do we shift this to a more solutions-focused narrative?" says Sonali Bhasin from People First Cities.
At the heart of the exhibition was an interactive exhibit, The Neralu Heat Shelter, conceptualised by architects and urban planners Ankrtiya Diggavi and Sagar Kandal. The collapsible shelter was the winning entry in a heat-shelter design competition run by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). The microclimate shade features a recyclable metal frame, a tin canopy, a jute curtain that doubles as a hand-pulled fan, and built-in bench for seating. The idea was born out of Diggavi's urban studies in Ahmedabad and Kandal's research in Peenya, Bengaluru, where they documented how informal workers created makeshift shade using broken billboards, tarpaulins, and discarded umbrellas.
At a time when rising heat and heatwaves are posing serious health and livelihood risks for informal workers, the architects aimed to design a solution based on informal worker's need and functional use of public spaces. 'We designed the shelter in such a way that it doesn't touch the ground or interfere with public space and folds up onto itself," says Diggavi. The chassis and frame set-up which includes a cycle wheel to move the jute curtain costs about ₹20,000.
Scalability is a strong focus. Everything in blue is pre-made of recycled or fabricated metal which can be shipped to different locations. 'Depending on the region it's being shipped to, the canopy, the bench, and the front curtain can be replaced using local materials," Kandal explains. They are hoping to have a conversation with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) about this shelter and how it can be taken forward.
'The larger idea is to force discourse on why we have to think about these solutions in the first place - our current urban designs and plans have all but failed to meet the requirements," Kandal explains.
For informal workers visiting the exhibition, it was also a platform to discuss heat as a problem. 'We are often told to just adjust to the heat, never see it as a problem," says Gowda. Rising heat also impacts their physical and mental health. Bhagyamma H, a construction worker, describes how the rising temperatures take a toll on her body, especially when working with materials like cement. 'There's no shade nearby where we can just sit and rest," she says. 'We eat right next to the cement, which radiates heat. Even when we're menstruating and dealing with body aches, we have to keep going in the sun."
Mangala, a field worker with the NGO Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA), speaks of the health effects she faces due to constant exposure. 'I get a lot of rashes and itching," she says.
Reflecting on the Neralu Heat Shelter, Bhagyamma says spaces like these could offer vital respite. 'At least I can sit and eat my lunch in the shade," she says.
I.S. Patil, community coordinator, APSA, emphasises the importance of having solutions-centric conversations and recognising the impact of heat on informal workers. 'Be it BBMP or local hospitals, they see heat only through the lens of health. If people are falling sick because of heat, it's seen as a health issue but not in relation to heat," he explains.
The opening day also included a performative play by a theatre collective, Kahe Vidushak. From spotlighting how heat affects women workers in overcrowded factories where they can't drink water or use washrooms to silent struggles of construction workers who have to deal with unreasonable work timelines under the blazing sun, the play gave a glimpse the lived realities of vulnerable communities.
On the second day, there was a panel discussion between informal workers with experts and practitioners of climate resilience on how to make city-level responses to heat stress inclusive and needs-oriented. 'This was an opportunity to bring all solutions providers together. We need solutions on-ground, and for that, the conversation must start on-ground," says Bhasin.
Also read: 'Loal Kashmir' review: Stories of love and longing from Kashmir
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Mint
5 days ago
- Mint
A new exhibition spotlights the impact of heat stress on informal workers
Madhe Gowda, a fruit vendor in Bengaluru's Whitefield area, noticed the rising heat in the city about four years ago. Working for more than12 hours a day, mostly under the scorching sun, means headaches and falling sick frequently. 'There isn't a way for us to avoid this heat," he says. Gowda is among the over 400 million informal workers in India's labour force who bear the brunt of heat stress every day. A new exhibition in Bengaluru, Sweat and Concrete 2025, explored how art can draw focus to the heat stress crisis. The exhibition was organized on 29-30 May by People First Cities, an initiative by social movement incubator Purpose. 'If you look at the narrative around heat stress right now, it's alarming. How do we shift this to a more solutions-focused narrative?" says Sonali Bhasin from People First Cities. At the heart of the exhibition was an interactive exhibit, The Neralu Heat Shelter, conceptualised by architects and urban planners Ankrtiya Diggavi and Sagar Kandal. The collapsible shelter was the winning entry in a heat-shelter design competition run by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). The microclimate shade features a recyclable metal frame, a tin canopy, a jute curtain that doubles as a hand-pulled fan, and built-in bench for seating. The idea was born out of Diggavi's urban studies in Ahmedabad and Kandal's research in Peenya, Bengaluru, where they documented how informal workers created makeshift shade using broken billboards, tarpaulins, and discarded umbrellas. At a time when rising heat and heatwaves are posing serious health and livelihood risks for informal workers, the architects aimed to design a solution based on informal worker's need and functional use of public spaces. 'We designed the shelter in such a way that it doesn't touch the ground or interfere with public space and folds up onto itself," says Diggavi. The chassis and frame set-up which includes a cycle wheel to move the jute curtain costs about ₹20,000. Scalability is a strong focus. Everything in blue is pre-made of recycled or fabricated metal which can be shipped to different locations. 'Depending on the region it's being shipped to, the canopy, the bench, and the front curtain can be replaced using local materials," Kandal explains. They are hoping to have a conversation with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) about this shelter and how it can be taken forward. 'The larger idea is to force discourse on why we have to think about these solutions in the first place - our current urban designs and plans have all but failed to meet the requirements," Kandal explains. For informal workers visiting the exhibition, it was also a platform to discuss heat as a problem. 'We are often told to just adjust to the heat, never see it as a problem," says Gowda. Rising heat also impacts their physical and mental health. Bhagyamma H, a construction worker, describes how the rising temperatures take a toll on her body, especially when working with materials like cement. 'There's no shade nearby where we can just sit and rest," she says. 'We eat right next to the cement, which radiates heat. Even when we're menstruating and dealing with body aches, we have to keep going in the sun." Mangala, a field worker with the NGO Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA), speaks of the health effects she faces due to constant exposure. 'I get a lot of rashes and itching," she says. Reflecting on the Neralu Heat Shelter, Bhagyamma says spaces like these could offer vital respite. 'At least I can sit and eat my lunch in the shade," she says. I.S. Patil, community coordinator, APSA, emphasises the importance of having solutions-centric conversations and recognising the impact of heat on informal workers. 'Be it BBMP or local hospitals, they see heat only through the lens of health. If people are falling sick because of heat, it's seen as a health issue but not in relation to heat," he explains. The opening day also included a performative play by a theatre collective, Kahe Vidushak. From spotlighting how heat affects women workers in overcrowded factories where they can't drink water or use washrooms to silent struggles of construction workers who have to deal with unreasonable work timelines under the blazing sun, the play gave a glimpse the lived realities of vulnerable communities. On the second day, there was a panel discussion between informal workers with experts and practitioners of climate resilience on how to make city-level responses to heat stress inclusive and needs-oriented. 'This was an opportunity to bring all solutions providers together. We need solutions on-ground, and for that, the conversation must start on-ground," says Bhasin. Also read: 'Loal Kashmir' review: Stories of love and longing from Kashmir
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- The Hindu
Heat shelter design for the city's vulnerable takes centre-stage in exhibition
A working prototype of 'Neralu heat shelter' — a roadside shelter designed keeping in mind outdoor workers — was unveiled at Sweat & Concrete 2025, an exhibition aimed to highlight the lived realities of communities most affected by the rising heat stress. The light, collapsible, and easily scalable shelter, conceptualised by architects and urban planners Ankrtiya Diggavi and Sagar Kandal, was the winning entry in a heat shelter design contest conducted by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & the Environment (ATREE). Designed for informal workers, such as pourakarmikas, haulers, waste pickers, street vendors, gig workers and coolies, the shelter has been prototyped for the first time for the exhibition. A scalable model 'We wanted to do a shelter design that is scalable across India. That's how we thought of a chassis and frame system,' said Mr. Kandal. The shelter, which consists of a metal frame, canopy, bench, and curtain, has been designed in such a way that it can be hinged onto a compound wall without touching the ground. This way it doesn't encroach the space on the footpaths, the architects pointed out. The curtain made of jute bags not only insulates it from heat, but also doubles up as a fan. 'A lot of industrial equipment go to waste. A thought behind designing the shelter with such material was whether we could salvage them and directly use them thus bypassing the recycling process which in itself is energy consuming,' said Mr. Kandal. Nudging to take ownership Mr. Diggavi added to it: 'We designed it in such a way that it does not touch the ground, folds up onto itself, and we are proposing that a private compound wall owner can lend his wall for this to be set up. This way it does not interfere with public space and we are nudging even citizens to take the ownership and onus of providing these things to the vulnerable.' Noting that the shelter would cost around ₹20,000, the architects hope that government officials would come on board to scale the model. A bottom-up approach The two-day exhibition, organised by People First Cities, an initiative bysocial movement incubator Purpose, also features the runner-up designs from the competition and panel discussions that include voices from the vulnerable communities. 'The focus is on thinking about how cities can be designed in a more participatory, inclusive manner from the bottom up,' said Kanishk Kabiraj from People First Cities. 'In the garden city of Bengaluru, heat is often a blind spot. But it's not going to stay the same way. Last year was the hottest year on record globally and heat impacts different people differently. Planning and decision-making need to include communities who are the most impacted by the rapid expansion of the city,' he added. Sonali Bhasin from People First Cities noted that heat action plans in Indian cities often lack vulnerability assessment and action policies that impact informal sector workers. 'We wanted to bring that to the attention of regular citizens as well as decision makers of Bengaluru and try for a more solution-oriented way,' she said. Admission to the exhibition is free and open to the public till May 30 at Sabha Space on Kamraj Road.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Residents of Kamath Layout in Bengaluru cry for basic amenities
Bengaluru: Eighteen years after their locality was included under BBMP, residents of Kamath Layout in Channanayakana Palya, off Tumakuru Road, on the northwestern fringes of the city, are still waiting for basic amenities like safe roads and potable water. The residents say they made several rounds to their elected representatives and offices of the civic agencies concerned, but solutions promised to arrive imminently remained elusive. The recent rain spell saw three trees uprooted, damaging a four-wheeler in the locality. The locality has about 60-70 residential buildings and is home to about 500 people. While the locality's main road was asphalted, the eight cross roads have not been black-topped even once in the last two decades. "In the beginning, we were told all roads would be asphalted after the sanitary and Cauvery pipelines were laid. This work was wrapped up before Covid. But after that, only the main road was asphalted. The eight cross roads are yet to get any facelift. Their shoulder drains have been all but effaced," said Thammana Gowda, an advocate and resident of the layout for 13 years. "The layout borewells have gone dry. BWSSB recently started supplying Cauvery water once a week, and even that is not regular. This is despite many of us having paid the deposits," Gowda added. Umesh Murthy, another advocate who has lived in Kamath Layout since 2013, said the condition of the roads worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic. "Before that, there was at least some activity — engineers used to inspect the area. Now, nobody bothers. BWSSB dug up the roads for Cauvery pipeline work, but never restored them properly," he told TOI. "We even had to repair the layout gate ourselves. It's embarrassing that after all these years, we still lack basic infrastructure and have to fend for ourselves," said Murthy. The asphalted main road too has been of little solace for residents. The road caved in at two places on multiple occasions, and residents living near the spots are often seen filling them up on their own out of concern for motorists. Stray dogs are another big menace. "There have been multiple dog bite incidents, and streetlights stop working regularly. We live within BBMP limits, yet it feels like we're in a neglected corner outside the city. We're not asking for luxuries — just the basics," said Rajaram Shetty, a retired bank employee. Shanta Balasubramanya, an 84-year-old resident of the layout for 15 years, said, "After the cross roads were dug up to lay water and sanitary pipelines, stepping out for a short walk too has become a risky affair for senior citizens like me. " After repeated requests, local MLA ST Somashekar reportedly intervened and got borewells dug up about two years ago. But residents say borewells have since dried up, forcing them to rely entirely on private water tankers. "My monthly tanker bill hovers between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000, depending on the water scarcity situation," added Shanta. BWSSB officials said water testing is currently underway and regular supply of Cauvery water to the layout will begin in a few weeks. "We want to ensure proper water flow and check for pipeline damages. In 2–3 weeks, the locality should receive regular Cauvery water supply," a senior official said. MLA ST Somashekar assured residents once BWSSB completes its work, roads will be laid immediately. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
