A localized index-based approach to assess heatwave vulnerability and climate change adaptation strategies: A case study of formal and informal settlements of Lahore, Pakistan

Climate change has caused an unprecedented rise in urban temperatures. It has become essential to identify vulnerabilities and capacities to tackle extreme events, such as heatwaves. This study proposes a localized heatwave vulnerability index (L-HVI) based on exposure, sensitivity, and capacity components. The proposed index was operationalized for formal and informal settlements of Lahore, Pakistan. The data was collected from 400 households through a questionnaire survey. The average weighted index method was used to construct individual indices. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and paired sample t-tests were used to identify differences between formal and informal settlements. Results showed that households of informal settlements had limited coping capacities, making them more vulnerable to heatwave impacts. The adaptation strategies also varied between the two settlements. This study contributes to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation discourse by proposing a heatwave index for the Global South region.