Comfort in hot climates
We apply wide ranging expertise to improve the quality of life for the world’s poorest communities and advance energy efficient solutions.
Climate change presents a rapidly growing threat to the health of people living in developing countries, especially those in low-income urban settlements.
The buildings people occupy can worsen the effects of extreme heat, but effective modifications to buildings could improve the indoor environment for occupants.
Low Energy Cooling and Ventilation in Indian Residences
The demand for residences in India will result in an increase of 400% in built area over the next three decades. The necessity to curb the rapid growth in conventional air conditioning systems - in parallel with the development of affordable, advanced energy-efficient cooling solutions to increase quality of life - has led to several international collaborative initiatives, including our collaboration with CEPT University, India, and industrial partners. It is hoped that the solutions developed in India, incorporating enhanced natural and novel mixed-mode ventilation strategies, will be applicable worldwide.
Vulnerability to Extreme Weather Events in Cities
This interdisciplinary project investigates the impacts of flooding and extreme heat on urban infrastructure, and the resultant consequences for the livelihoods of poor urban residents in Ghana. We aim to refine methods for mapping ‘hotspots’ of vulnerability, examine the impact of flooding and extreme heat on water, electricity and health services, analyse the impact of reduced service levels during extreme weather events on the income-generating activities of the urban poor and co-produce adaptive strategies to extreme weather events with residents, service providers and policymakers.
Meet the experts
The experts below represent the broad interests of our researchers in comfort in hot climates. We look forward to hearing from you.
