<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The continuous monitoring of the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and land cover change is imperative for an inquiry into the potential impact of LST on human well-being, including urban outdoor thermal comfort in Lagos State, Nigeria. Using Landsat imagery, this study assessed land cover and LST changes from 1984 to 2019. Land cover was extracted, LST was determined from Landsat imageries and the land cover changes were linked to LST using the contribution index (CI). Afterwards, the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) was calculated to determine the heat stress levels. Findings confirm the presence of urban sprawl and new growth areas in previously rural Local Government Areas (LGAs) eastward, northward and westward of Lagos metropolis and in regions which lie on the fringe of the state's border with Ogun State. Also, a very strong link between high LST intensities and increasing concentration of urban areas in rapidly growing LGAs has been observed. This link further confirms the increased warming of the state, with an increase in mean LST of 2.16°C during 1984–2019. The UTCI which was used to gauge the influence of LST on outdoor thermal comfort ranged from moderate to strong heat stress levels. This study helps to strengthen the case for definite policies and actions which should be aimed at achieving moderate urban development through increased urban tree canopy/green infrastructure provision and carbon sequestration activities in urban design/landscape design, in Lagos State.</p>
</abstract>

The continuous monitoring of the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and land cover change is imperative for an inquiry into the potential impact of LST on human well-being, including urban outdoor thermal comfort in Lagos State, Nigeria. Using Landsat imagery, this study assessed land cover and LST changes from 1984 to 2019. Land cover was extracted, LST was determined from Landsat imageries and the land cover changes were linked to LST using the contribution index (CI). Afterwards, the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) was calculated to determine the heat stress levels. Findings confirm the presence of urban sprawl and new growth areas in previously rural Local Government Areas (LGAs) eastward, northward and westward of Lagos metropolis and in regions which lie on the fringe of the state's border with Ogun State. Also, a very strong link between high LST intensities and increasing concentration of urban areas in rapidly growing LGAs has been observed. This link further confirms the increased warming of the state, with an increase in mean LST of 2.16°C during 1984–2019. The UTCI which was used to gauge the influence of LST on outdoor thermal comfort ranged from moderate to strong heat stress levels. This study helps to strengthen the case for definite policies and actions which should be aimed at achieving moderate urban development through increased urban tree canopy/green infrastructure provision and carbon sequestration activities in urban design/landscape design, in Lagos State.

Potential Influence of Urban Sprawl and Changing Land Surface Temperature on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Lagos State, Nigeria

Enugu State University of Science & Technology

Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics

Quaestiones Geographicae

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Public License.

The continuous monitoring of the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and land cover change is imperative for an inquiry into the potential...

Potential Influence of Urban Sprawl and Changing Land Surface Temperature on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Lagos State, Nigeria

Published Online: Jan 29, 2021

Page range: 5 - 23

Received: Sep 03, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/quageo-2021-0001

Keywords
Landsat imageries, land cover changes, heat stress, outdoor thermal comfort, universal thermal climate index

© 2021 Jerry N. Obiefuna et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Public License.

Potential Influence of Urban Sprawl and Changing Land Surface Temperature on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Lagos State, Nigeria

Published Online: Jan 29, 2021

Page range: 5 - 23

Received: Sep 03, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/quageo-2021-0001

KeywordsLandsat imageries, land cover changes, heat stress, outdoor thermal comfort, universal thermal climate index

© 2021 Jerry N. Obiefuna et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Public License.

Keywords
Landsat imageries, land cover changes, heat stress, outdoor thermal comfort, universal thermal climate index