Kochi: Sajna Peediakkattodi, a research scholar at the School of Environmental Studies at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), has represented India at the International Urban Climate Summer School 2026 hosted by Ruhr University Bochum in Germany.

The Kottakkal, Malappuram, native was selected as the sole delegate from India after discovering the international call for applications via LinkedIn. The week-long academic event, organised by the Ruhr University Bochum Urban Climate Lab, brought together nearly 30 doctoral researchers from across Europe, the United States, Australia, South Korea and India to collaborate with leading climate scientists.

 

Research focus on Kochi’s microclimate

Sajna’s research focuses on the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon, a condition where urbanised regions register consistently higher surface temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas, specifically examining its manifestations across Kerala's coastal cities.

Satellite data analysis: Her study analysed satellite datasets spanning from 2003 to 2020 to map urban growth patterns and corresponding surface temperature shifts across Kochi.

Springer Nature publication: The research paper, authored under the supervision of CUSAT Assistant Professor Dr K S Krishnamohan, was published in Springer Nature's peer-reviewed journal ‘Discover Sustainability’ on August 21 before being presented as a poster at the Bochum conference.

AI and urban planning: The summer school emphasised leveraging artificial intelligence in urban climate modeling and studying well-planned European urban models to adapt mitigation strategies for fast-growing Indian cities.


Funded via DST-ANRF International Travel Support

To support her travel alongside the maximum ₹85,000 grant provided by the host organisation, Sajna secured the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) International Travel Support under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology (DST).

Reflecting on her experience, Sajna noted that interacting with international peers provided critical insights into integrating global urban planning standards to counter localised heat retention in rapidly developing Indian municipalities.