Data
2025
Leeds Researchers Release Pune Heat Stress Dataset to Support Climate Resilience Research
A team of researchers from the University of Leeds has published a new open-access dataset exploring heat stress and cooling systems in Pune, India. The dataset provides valuable evidence for researchers, planners, and policymakers tackling the impacts of rising urban temperatures.
The dataset, created by Yulan Sheng, Sumedha Basu, and Frin Bale, brings together quantitative and qualitative information collected through the project Co-creating visions and pathways for integrated urban heat systems. The research was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture and includes data from Pune's informal settlements; Kishkindha Nagar and Shinde Vasti.
According to the repository, the data cover four key themes: urban form, climate, population, and community experiences of heat stress. The collection combines processed data from existing sources with primary fieldwork, offering insights into how vulnerable communities experience extreme heat and access cooling solutions.
Researchers say the resource will help improve understanding of sustainable cooling strategies and support efforts to develop more equitable responses to climate change in rapidly urbanising cities. The dataset is freely available through the University of Leeds Research Data Repository under a Creative Commons licence.
Source: Sheng, Yulan, Basu, Sumedha and Bale, Catherine (2025) Data repository for heat stress and the cooling system in Pune, India. University of Leeds. [Dataset]
Dataset for heat stress and the cooling system in Pune, India
2022
Leeds Dataset Highlights Potential of Shared Ground Heat Exchange in Net-Zero Transition
Researchers at the University of Leeds have published a dataset that sheds light on the role of shared ground heat exchange (SGHE) systems in helping to decarbonise building heating across the UK. The dataset, compiled by Frin Bale, David Barns and Josh Turner, brings together evidence reviews, policy analyses, case studies and stakeholder engagement materials to support decision-making on low-carbon heating solutions.
The resource was developed as part of a policy engagement project conducted between December 2021 and March 2022, with support from the Research England Policy Support Fund. Researchers examined the benefits, challenges and deployment opportunities associated with SGHE systems, which connect multiple properties to a shared underground heat source while allowing each building to operate its own heat pump.
According to the accompanying research, shared ground heat exchange could offer an important solution for areas where individual heat pumps or large-scale heat networks are less practical, particularly in terraced housing, apartment blocks and medium-density neighbourhoods. The study identifies a gap in current heat decarbonisation policy, which tends to focus on either individual heat pumps or district heating networks, leaving mid-scale technologies relatively overlooked.
The dataset includes results from a rapid evidence assessment, mapping of relevant policies and funding streams, SGHE case studies, and materials from a stakeholder workshop involving participants from industry, government and the public sector. These resources are intended to help policymakers, planners and energy stakeholders better understand the opportunities and barriers facing wider deployment of shared ground heat infrastructure.
As governments seek pathways to meet net-zero targets, the Leeds dataset provides valuable evidence on how shared ground heat systems could contribute to reducing emissions from building heating, one of the UK's most challenging sectors to decarbonise.