New Urban Coalition Targets Heatwaves, Climate Resilience in Delhi
The Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) and Praja Foundation have jointly launched the Alliance for City Transformation (ACT) — a multi-sectoral coalition dedicated to enabling citizen-led, accountable, and future-ready urban governance in Delhi.
Heatwaves Top the Agenda
ACT's first priority is addressing heatwaves, an increasingly urgent issue as parts of Delhi recorded temperatures as high as 49°C last year. This April, the Safdarjung weather station — Delhi's base observatory — recorded three heatwave days, although none were recorded in May due to frequent rainfall. In contrast, Delhi saw six heatwave days in May 2024, with maximum temperatures exceeding 45°C.
A Call for Collective Action
Aparajita Bharti, Co-founder of YLAC, emphasized the need for collaborative solutions in the face of growing climate challenges.
"There is an urgent need to improve the quality of life for all citizens, especially given climate change, pollution, and extreme weather events. We hope ACT becomes a platform where policymakers, businesses, philanthropists, and citizen groups work together to respond to local challenges.
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Such collective action has transformed cities globally," she said.
Milind Mhaske, CEO of Praja Foundation, echoed the urgency:
"As climate change intensifies and Delhi faces rising heatwaves and environmental threats, strengthening urban governance has never been more important. We need resilient, transparent, and participatory systems to respond effectively."
Voices from the Ground
At the launch event, Shakira Ben, a participant, shared the harsh realities faced by daily-wage labourers:
"We work in extreme heat without access to cold drinking water or proper shade.
Dispensaries offering heat-related treatment are often far from work sites. We need proper cooling measures from the government to protect us."
What's Next for ACT?
ACT aims to roll out:
A public series of panels and dialogues on pressing urban issues.
Joint representations and policy recommendations to government bodies.
Multi-stakeholder partnerships to pilot innovative local solutions.
By fostering collaboration across sectors, ACT seeks to build a more resilient and inclusive urban future for Delhi.
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