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The Guardian
a day ago
- General
- The Guardian
Trying to keep cool in an increasingly hot world
As temperatures rise around the world, the inequality between those who can afford to stay cool and those forced to suffer is laid ever more bare. For some, air conditioning is a given; for others it is an unaffordable luxury. The photographer Gaia Squarci and researcher Jacopo Crimi visited Brazil, India, Indonesia and Italy to photograph the stories of people in extreme heat and how they are learning to adapt to it. Their project, The Cooling Solution, visualises how people are adapting to rising temperatures and humidity among different socioeconomic groups, and investigates how accessible air conditioning is for these people. 31C (87.8F) | 65% humidity | An office worker at the Ministry of Public Works, a green building in Jakarta, Indonesia, 2022 Crimi said a lot of modern architecture was made up of isolated, air-conditioned units that crammed people in together. But after realising these flaws, some architects began using new technologies to designed buildings that do not rely on AC. 'We wanted to show positive examples,' said Crimi. 'Architects were implementing both modern ways of tackling heat, such as the building in the photo, but as well reviving ancient architecture. A solution exists for alternatives to air conditioning, but it requires affluence.' 28C | 71% | A family on a scooter in the Kemayoran neighbourhood of Jakarta, with high-rise buildings in the background, 2022 Squarci said the streets of this subdistrict in Jakarta were crammed with scooters with multiple riders on them. The temperature of the motorbikes and the weather made it an uncomfortable commute for riders and 'even if there is family in the photo, it speaks to the mass and plurality of people's experience', she said. With large buildings in the background, the photo illustrates a division of wealth between those in technologically developed areas and others exposed to the extreme heat on the streets. 29C | 72% | Children dive in the Cachoeira Piscininha do Silvestre, a waterfall in the neighbourhood of Cosme Velho in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, 2022 In this photo, young children swim in a pond to cool down. Although it is not the case here, there are cases when entering a polluted body of water is the only means for some people to escape the heat, leading to severe health risks. 'When deciding for this project how we were going to represent the topic of air conditioning, we decided we had to represent people from all social classes. Those with AC and those without,' said Squarci. 32C | 50% | Anna Gabriela Patrocinio Gregório (centre) and her daughters Lara, eight, and Sãnella, five, pose for a portrait at their home in a favela in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro Crimi said: 'We found that the photos that were the most interesting and told the deepest story were the ones closely related to the intimate dimensions of a person.' Gregório said that while she was pregnant with her two children, she often felt sick and fainted because of the heat. With no windows in her house, she had to rely on a small fan on the floor to stay cool. 26C | 77% | Residents of Rio's Bangu district chat outside a shopping centre, a desirable destination because it has AC, 2022 This modern shopping centre in Bangu was built with air conditioning and attracts locals trying to escape the heat. Access to these air-conditioned spaces is especially important for the demographics that struggle most with heat, such as elderly people and children. For people who cannot afford an AC unit at home, these air-conditioned public spaces are often the only places where they can find respite. 26C | 77% | People stand in the streets of the fishing village of Worli, overlooking the residential buildings of Mahim, now a wealthy area of Mumbai, India, 2019 The unequal levels of wealth and affluence in Mumbai are shown on the two sides of the river, distinguishing the technologically advanced city in the background from the underdeveloped small settlement in the foreground. Squarci said the photo 'shows the transformation of the city, developing much faster in emerging countries than other areas that are trailing behind, living without the means to adapt to the growing heat'. 28C | 34% | Visitors gather to watch an informational video in an air-conditioned room of the Nehru Planetarium in Delhi, India, 2019 Spaces such as hotels, leisure centres and planetariums in India are accessible locations for wealthy people to enjoy air conditioning. The cinema room at this planetarium had AC installed, but for Squarci and Crimi, the room felt extremely cold and was in stark contrast to the heat experienced by lower socioeconomic groups in India. Squarci said the photo symbolised 'the abuse of AC, and I did not want to perpetrate visual stereotypes in these developing countries. It is important to include examples of the higher middle class and their experience in India and Brazil.' 31C | 60% | Tourists take over Piazza San Marco during the Festa del Redentore in Venice, Italy, 2015. The offer of flats for short stays is one of the main drivers of AC adoption in tourist cities At Piazza San Marco in Venice, tourists and residents must both endure and attempt to enjoy. The photo captures a child being thrown into the air, which Squarci described as 'a need to make the image interesting. Even when we are talking about something sensitive, I welcome anything that can catch people's attention. There are moments of joy and moment of leisure, even in these extreme situations.' 22C | 62% | A man stands on the balcony of a residential building in Bolzano, Italy, in the shadow of trees shielding him from the direct summer sun, 2022 The photo, taken from a hotel window, shows an older man leaning out of his balcony under the shade of a tree. Squarci and Crimi said: 'One of the most vulnerable demographics are the elderly, and because there was shade on the side of the building, he could thankfully access the open air.' The pair chose to visit Italy for this project because they want to connect western audiences to their message and bring the issue closer to home. 25C | 75% | A German family sits in the shade of a boat pulled aground on a beach in Stromboli, a volcanic island near Sicily, Italy, 2022 The shadow of a boat was the only shade on the beach. They said they did not expect it to be this unbearably hot, and the father said they 'scrambled for a little piece of relief from the heat' in the shadow of the boat. Squarci and Crimi said they often found themselves taking shelter in similar ways while working on the project. 28C | 68% | Andrea Squarci, 69, watches a tennis match on TV during a heatwave at Lido dei Pini, a seaside location about an hour away from Rome. The house where Andrea lives with his wife, Chiara, since his retirement in 2019, is right in front of the sea Squarci said her father usually did not use air conditioning and would open a window to let a breeze into the house, but that on rare occasions the temperature would be too hot for him and he would have to turn on the AC. Squarci took the photo of her father because she wanted to show a middle-class Italian person who could afford air conditioning and used it sparingly.
Zawya
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Kuwait continues road development works in Sulaibikhat under new contracts
KUWAIT CITY - Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan confirmed on Thursday that field teams from the ministry are continuing infrastructure development works on Khalaf Al-Ahmar Road in Sulaibikhat, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the country's internal road network and implement scheduled maintenance programs. In a press statement, Dr. Al-Mashaan said the Ministry of Public Works remains committed to developing the country's infrastructure by upgrading internal roads in accordance with the ministry's long-term plans. She noted that the ministry's engineers are supervising the implementation on-site, ensuring compliance with approved technical specifications and safety standards while utilizing modern equipment and machinery. "The work is proceeding according to the approved timeline while upholding all necessary safety and security protocols," the minister said. Al-Mashaan emphasized that the internal road maintenance and rehabilitation initiative aims to improve living conditions in residential areas and address road-related issues in response to public feedback. The program is being executed in collaboration with relevant regulatory bodies. She reaffirmed the ministry's dedication to providing a safe and modern road network that supports efficient traffic flow and helps reduce risks and traffic accidents. The minister also called on residents in the area to cooperate and show understanding regarding temporary diversions until the completion of the works. Deputy Engineer Mamdouh Al-Enezi, who supervises Road Maintenance Contract No. 13 in Jahra Governorate, stated that he and his team were present on-site at Khalaf Al-Ahmar Road to monitor progress and assess the latest developments under the newly launched maintenance contracts. Al-Enezi explained that Thursday's work involved laying a layer of Type 3 asphalt as part of the broader plan to enhance road quality and performance. Arab Times | © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
23-05-2025
- General
- Zawya
Kuwait minister announces start of road upgrades in Bayan, blocks 7 and 8
KUWAIT CITY - Kuwait's Minister of Public Works, Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan, announced the commencement of significant maintenance work in the Bayan area, specifically in blocks (7) and (8). This initiative is part of new contracts focused on improving highways and internal roads. The minister explained that the maintenance work is part of 18 ongoing projects aimed at enhancing road infrastructure across all six governorates. The goal is to improve efficiency and safety, ensuring that the roads meet international engineering standards. Dr. Al-Mashaan highlighted that both radical and periodic maintenance would help extend the lifespan of existing roads, reducing the need for complete reconstruction. This strategy aims to lower future costs while promoting sustainability within Kuwait's road sector. Engineer Faisal Al-Sumait, project supervisor for Hawalli Governorate (first zone), provided an update on the ongoing works. He shared that the ministry's teams are currently working on laying two layers of asphalt in the Bayan area, with a Type 2 layer followed by a Type 3 layer as the final finish. The work in blocks (7) and (8) is progressing well, with the final layer being completed on Al-Aqsa Mosque Street. Al-Sumait also assured the public that the teams are working according to a strict timetable, emphasizing the Ministry of Public Works' commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and safety throughout the project.
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Kuwait begins Fahaheel Expressway upgrades under national plan
KUWAIT CITY - The Ministry of Public Works has announced that maintenance work is underway on the Fahaheel Expressway heading towards Kuwait City, as part of its broader infrastructure development strategy. The initiative is one of 18 road rehabilitation projects being carried out across Kuwait's governorates, aligned with the national development strategy, "New Kuwait 2035." In a statement, the ministry affirmed its commitment to implementing the highest engineering and safety standards to ensure high-quality execution. The road upgrades are part of a comprehensive modernization plan aimed at enhancing the country's transportation infrastructure. Eng. Sultan Al-Otaibi, Deputy Supervising Engineer for both the Fahaheel Expressway and King Fahd Road, confirmed that field teams from the ministry are actively present on-site to monitor progress under new contracts related to extensive road maintenance. According to Al-Otaibi, the ongoing work includes soil treatment and the application of three asphalt layers—classified as Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3—to ensure durability and improved road performance. He urged citizens and residents to follow updates from the General Traffic Department, particularly regarding temporary road closures, to minimize inconvenience and avoid traffic congestion during the maintenance period. The Fahaheel Expressway project represents a key milestone in Kuwait's infrastructure renewal efforts as the country continues investing in sustainable and efficient road systems. Arab Times | © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait expected to award consultancy contract for water purification station in Q2
Kuwait's Ministry of Public Works is likely to award a design and project management consultancy contract for the South Al-Mutlaa city Water Purification Station project in the second quarter, a source aware of the details said. The tender was issued on 5 January 2025, with bids submission deadline of 9 February. 'The contract award is expected in May 2025,' the source told Zawya Projects, adding that the completion of the project is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027. The project involves the construction, operation, and maintenance of a water purification facility and its associated infrastructure, serving the growing needs of the South Al-Mutlaa area. (Reporting by Deva Palanisamy; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
