Uploaded on 2017-05-26 by ADEOYE ADEMITILEWA

My name is Adeoye Ademitilewa and I live in Lagos, Nigeria. 1. Charlotte is up to 12.0o hotter in the city than in rural areas, city summers are -1.4o cooler than in the rural areas and has 16 fewer days above 90o each year than in the rural areas. 2. Walking in between closely built high-rise buildings in the day time is quite a relief when compared to walking directly under the sun. This is as a result of the shading provided by these buildings and overall protection from the sun. However, in areas that have few or no high-rise buildings, it is constantly hot; in the day time and night time. This is because we’re in the tropics. Although, areas that have trees and grass cover with smaller areas of paving are noticeably cool in the evenings. It is my opinion that UHI in Lagos is as a result of constant pollution and abundance of climate-insensitive activities, rather than as a result of tall buildings, as Lagos is not a dense city. In Lagos, there is constant air, heat and noise pollution from factories, vehicles, generators, among others, and this is worse in the more populated areas. This accumulation of heat makes these areas obviously hotter than the surrounding parts, hence the Urban heat island in Lagos. According to an article by Olalekan Ilesanmi, the development in Lagos together with the population growth has led to the construction of many high rise buildings, asphalt roads and concrete and interlocking pavement surfaces; especially in commercial areas. All these absorb heat during the day and the heat is given off at night, causing hotter nights. UHI in Lagos is most noticeable during the transition periods of harmattan and raining season. “Other effects of urban heat islands (UHI) are due to geometric designs of infrastructures in the metropolis as a result of how the urban area is been designed by various positioning of residential buildings, office complex and industrial layouts. For example the positioning of high rise buildings most especially in commercial districts as given rise to multiple surfaces for reflection and absorption of sunlight, increasing the intensity with which urban areas are heated. This also causes blockage to wind flow and direction which in turn alters cooling by convection and prevents dissipation of pollution from the surrounding air. UHI has effects on the weather in the urban areas such as distortion of wind flow patterns, direction and speed. ” – An excerpt 3. I would propose that more green cover be planted and introduction of artificial water bodies where possible. I would also suggest the use of trees or some form of cover when possible, in parking lots. In addition, I would suggest the and use of more climate-friendly materials for construction, particularly facades and roofing, in order to control the amount of heat and light that is absorbed and reflected by buildings. 4. I am not aware of any policies concerning UHI in Lagos but I know that the recently, the attention of the government has been drawn to the effects of climate change and is increasing the planting of trees and better landscaping around Lagos. There is an obvious difference between how it is now and how it was before. The environment is even more beautiful.