GIS in the assessment of the impact of microclimatic variables on human comfort in Akure, Nigeria

D.B Alaigba,O.O Fabiyi,O.S Akinnawo

doi:10.4314/sajg.v7i1.5

Abstract

This study involved the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) to examine variation of physiologic comfort of the people living in Akure urban environment using physiological equivalent temperature (PET) index. PET value generated from both micro-climatic parameters and thermo-physiological data measured, using Rayman model because of its ability to generate mean radiant temperature and PET which is useful in thermo-physiological heat balance model. It also examines the responses from sampled population across the land uses. Results showed that thermal heat stress are found spatially and temporally (6:00; 12:00 and 18:00 local standard time, LST) within the study area as high as (41-55) °C due to different activities in each of the land uses. Results indicated that many of the respondents are yet to have better understanding about thermal stress and it effects. The recommendation from this study is that more days of data should be measured during dry season, and planting of tress and urban greenery should be strongly encouraged as a means to improve the micro climate as well as the level of human comfort in Akure, Nigeria. Keywords: Micro-climate, Urbanization, Thermal comfort, PET, Rayman

Highlights

The effect of the climatic variability can be seen on human well-being, health and environment (Adakayi, 2009) which makes the comfort of human as a phenomenon both spatial and temporal
Evidence has shown that anthropogenic heat emission at various land use is a major factor contributing to heat island (Ohashi et al, 2007)
All the field surveys were performed on days of dry season of the year, In order to account for change in daily climatic conditions, the field survey was conducted in three sections a day (morning (6:00), midday (12:00) and evening (18:00) local time) for five days in different delineated land use types as shown in figure 2: and the average of each section were obtained as shown in table 2 below

Summary

Introduction

The effect of the climatic variability can be seen on human well-being, health and environment (Adakayi, 2009) which makes the comfort of human as a phenomenon both spatial and temporal. The most important climate of any urban environment is microclimatic conditions, which differ significantly from that of rural areas. Urban is defined as an environment where the density of population and economic activities are more than in other places with higher rate of destruction of natural resources (Toy et al, 2007). With higher rate of economic development, urbanization coupled with population growth continue in developing countries, anthropogenic heat increases as well (Ichinose and Bai, 2000). Akure is not exempted from this as the population and economic activities have increased and more than tripled from 1990- 2006 (Ogunsote, 2007; Balogun et al, 2011)

Methods

Results

Conclusion