Contest to build 'heat shelters' for outdoor workers launched in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: In a unique initiative aimed at conceptualising an action plan to combat urban heat, a collective of climate activists has launched a competition to design “heat shelters” in Bengaluru North.

The idea focuses on providing relief for vulnerable outdoor workers such as pourakarmikas, haulers, waste pickers, street vendors, gig workers and coolies by creating rest spaces in the form of heat shelters.

Manan Bhan, Fellow in Residence at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), explained that the initiative is a collaborative effort between ATREE, the Wipro Foundation and Azim Premji University.

“Outdoor workers are among the communities most affected by climate change and extreme heat due to the nature of their jobs.

“There’s an urgent need for functional, contextual spaces that offer relief, with essential amenities like fans, water coolers, and first aid kits,” Bhan said.

He added that the shelters should be temporary and easy to dismantle as they are only needed for a few months each year. However, community neighbourhoods also have space constraints.

The collective is inviting participation from various disciplines, including art, architecture, design, law and the natural and social sciences, to design a 25 sqm heat shelter. These temporary shelters are expected to be cost effective, with an estimated budget of Rs 3 lakh. Citizen involvement in the design process is highly encouraged.

The winning designs will be showcased at a gathering of philanthropists and practitioners at Azim Premji University on October 24 and 25.