Category: Town Planning

Officials from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) addressed an awareness programme on the Cool Roof systems, highlighting the need for sustainable measures to reduce heat stress in buildings and schools. 

The programme, held at the Ramco Institute of Technology recently, brought together more than a hundred civil engineering professionals, faculty members, and students, who were introduced to the concept of cool roofs and their role in addressing rising temperatures and urban heat conditions across the state.

During the session, the officials explained that cool roofs are being promoted as an effective passive cooling measure to reduce heat absorption through rooftops, which are often the most heat-exposed parts of buildings. By reflecting a significant portion of solar radiation, cool roofs help lower indoor temperatures and improve thermal comfort.

They pointed out that Tamil Nadu has been witnessing increasing temperatures and prolonged heat conditions, with school buildings particularly vulnerable because concrete roofs tend to trap heat during peak daytime hours. In this context, cool roof interventions are being implemented as a practical and scalable solution.

Officials said one of the major advantages of the initiative is that cool roof measures can be implemented quickly on existing buildings with minimal structural modification and without disrupting regular activities, making them suitable for large-scale adoption in educational institutions and public facilities.

According to officials, pilot projects carried out under the initiative showed a noticeable reduction in classroom temperatures, with indoor conditions improving from around 31-32°C before intervention to 26-28°C after the installation of cool roof measures.