Bhubaneswar: Rapid urbanisation, widespread use of air conditioners and increasing vehicular traffic are contributing to rising temperatures and changing the climate of cities, said Shishir Ranjan Dash, Team Lead, Urban Habitat, Tata Steel Foundation.

Speaking at a special session on ‘Urban Space and Climate’ at the Earth Again Conference 2026 (Punashcha Prithibi) in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, Dash said cities, like living beings, need space to “breathe”.

“Just as human beings and other living organisms breathe, cities also need to breathe. Therefore, urban areas need adequate spaces to breathe,” Dash said.

The session was held on the concluding day of the conference, organised by Sambad and Ama Odisha at the MKCG Auditorium of Utkal University.

Dash observed that the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack region, which once had significant agricultural activity, has witnessed rapid urbanisation over the years. Farmlands have increasingly given way to concrete structures, while air conditioners and private cars have become common in households.

“Earlier, farming was carried out in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Today, wherever you look, there are buildings. Air conditioners are present in almost every household, and most people own cars,” he said, adding that these factors are contributing to the flow of warmer air in urban areas.

He stressed that collective efforts by citizens could bring about significant changes in the way cities are planned and developed.

“If all of us come together and try to make an impact, a major change can eventually be brought about in the city. Its character can change and the city can take on a more beautiful form,” Dash said.

He also highlighted the importance of understanding urban mobility and transportation patterns, particularly in a growing city like Bhubaneswar. With a large number of people living in and travelling across the city, he said, the way people move and experience urban spaces is closely connected with the city's environmental future.

The session was moderated by Preeti Prada Panigrahi, Director, Reimagine Ideas Foundation.