How better urban planning and design can help Rajkot beat the heat Rapid urbanisation and global climate change are contributing to the urban heat island (UHI) effect in cities across the world. Anuradha Adhikari of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability South Asia (ICLEI South Asia) and Nilesh Prajapati (GFA Consulting Group GmbH) share recommendations for reducing the urban heat island effect in Rajkot, India, providing an example for other cities.