India, Oct. 4 -- 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 U...