Assessment of Microclimatic Variables on Human Comfort Condition in Akure Urban Environment, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study involved the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) to examine day-to-day time variation of physiologic comfort of the people living in Akure urban environment using physiological equivalent temperature (PET) indices for five (5) days at 32 well distributed points across different land use type. PET was calculated from the micro-climatic parameters data measured directly using Rayman model because of its ability to generate mean radiant temperature and PET that are 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) across different land uses within the study area. Results indicated that many of the respondents are yet to have better understanding about climate change and thermal stress. Based on this study it was concluded that Akure urban environment was under physiological stress during the study period and the population within the area has very low understanding of thermal comfort. The recommendation from this study is that policies that will support urban greenery, full awareness of climate change and thermal comfort should be implemented.Keywords: Micro-climate, Urbanization, Thermal comfort, PET, Rayman.