Heat index maps uncover when city greening cools most—and when it can backfire‎

Tree shade is one of the fastest ways to make heat more bearable. It cuts direct sunlight, protects people walking or working outdoors, and remains essential for heat action plans. A new study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) adds a sharper planning question: If greening is so important, why does the same strategy cool some urban areas more reliably than others?