Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe) under its APN-funded project on “Gender Sensitive Heat Action Planning for South-Asian Cities” has developed this manual to sensitise the city-level ULB in the cities of Colombo (Sri Lanka), Rajshahi (Bangladesh) and Surat (India) about the need for immediate actions on heat wave prevention and management but also be better prepared to adapt to the situation and sustain functionality and contribution of people/citizens and makes the city future ready. The objective of the training manual is to help the stakeholders develop a gender-sensitive Heat Action Plan (HAP) for their city. It also enables the stakeholders by building their capacities and understanding heat waves’ implications on human health. It also seeks to develop enduring and efficient participation of the government govt institutions and non-govt government institutions in addressing heat waves.

This training manual will build the capacity and knowledge of the ULB and its stakeholders in the heatwave management of the city. This module uses exercises for the learners to help them better understand the process of the development Heat Action Plan development (HAP). These hands-on exercises along with key resources will ensure its effective implementation and better
deal with heatwave challenges.

This manual may also be adapted to the needs and requirements of other cities that plan to undertake actions to mitigate and adapt to the heat waves. This will not only help other cities to strengthen heat wave preparedness for its vulnerable populations especially women by establishing approaches and pathways required for adapting and mitigating the risks of heat stress on the well-being of the citizens and productivity of the cities. It will help these institutions to have better capacities to deal with the extreme impacts of heat waves.