Setup of a densely distributed and quality-controlled meteorological sensor network in Pune, India, for urban microclimate research and citizen participation in the context of climate change adaptation
Authors: Eingrüber Nils , Korres Wolfgang , Löhnert Ulrich , Schneider Karl 
Published: January 2025

Abstract. Urban areas are particularly affected by climate change. Excessive heat waves, droughts and extreme precipitation events are the most detrimental meteorological events affecting cities and their population worldwide. Adaptation and mitigation measures must be specific for the given climatic, socio-economic and cultural conditions. To better understand differences in the natural and social environment and their effects upon climate adaptation strategies in humid and monsoon-driven climates, a densely distributed meteorological sensor network was established in an urban high-density neighbourhood in Pune, India, in 2023 for continuous long-term data collection (12 stations, 59 sensors) following the prototype network installed in the city of Cologne, Germany, in 2021 (14 stations, 58 sensors). Climate change mitigation and adaptation requires activation and participation of citizens. In order to connect the needs of research with citizen participation, it is essential (i) to provide quality-controlled microclimatic measurements with high spatial and temporal resolution; (ii) to provide a basis to analyse cause-and-effect relationships in a given urban microclimatic setting; (iii) to enable suitable climate change adaptation measures to be identified and the participation potential of stakeholders to be assessed; and (iv) to support the building of a community of learners, participants and activists towards becoming actively involved in climate change adaptation in their own living environment. The transferability and expandability of the approach requires that the measurement network must be affordable to facilitate citizen participation. Scientists can use the measurement data for example to validate physically based microclimate models like ENVI-met to simulate adaptation effects. The measurement locations of the standardized, low cost and expandable measurement network in Pune cover the full range of surface characteristics from vegetated parks to street canyons and from built-up inner courtyards to open areas, representing the heterogeneity of the microclimatic conditions within that study area. The similarity of the sensor network in both cities allows for comparison of the functionality of the system under different environmental conditions and assessment of stakeholder and citizen activation and participation in two different countries. Despite challenges arising from discontinuous power supply and radio signal interruptions due to sensor wetness during the rainy season in Pune, the data quality shows that the measurement setup is also suitable for tropical monsoon climates. Stakeholder participation was assessed by statistical analyses of the usage statistics of the NETATMO app by the citizen scientists. Significant differences in the number of app activities between Pune and Cologne were found. Despite differences in the form and intensity of active participation, citizens in both cities show great interest in getting involved in climate research and pathways for climate change adaptation, indicating the high potential of activating citizens in the transformative process towards climate-sensitive urban development.