CoP on Extreme Heat in Educational Infrastructure

Implementing Partner: Build Change

Project name: Community of Practice for Extreme Heat Management in Urban Educational Infrastructure

The rising frequency and intensity of extreme heat events present significant challenges to educational infrastructure, particularly in urban and resource-constrained settings. With one-third of the world’s children experiencing 4–5 heatwaves annually, urgent action is needed to protect learning environments.

This CoP will serve as a global, virtual platform, uniting practitioners, policymakers, researchers, school administrators, and other stakeholders to collaboratively address this pressing issue.

By fostering knowledge exchange and best practices, it will generate valuable resources to support climate resilient educational spaces.

Students affected by
heatwaves in 2024
0 mn
Children exposed to
heatwaves by 2050
0 bn+

Impact

1

School administrators will upgrade educational infrastructure, including buildings, outdoor spaces, and transport, to enhance thermal comfort and minimize heat exposure for students to ensure a safe learning environment while supporting uninterrupted education despite extreme heat conditions.

2

School administrators will design comprehensive emergency response plans, including checklists, communication protocols, and training programs for staff, students, and parents to ensure that schools remain prepared and resilient, effectively managing extreme events while maintaining uninterrupted operations.

3

City planners, education departments, and municipal regulatory authorities can develop and implement policy frameworks that identify actionable design-based interventions and nature-based solutions to enhance thermal comfort in schools, ensuring student well-being and promoting sustainable infrastructure.

Resources

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.