The Built Up Environment and Micro-Climate Variation in Lokoja, Nigeria
Michael Oloyede Alabi

Abstract
At the banks of river Niger particularly bordering the confluence of the river Niger and Benue lies the city of Lokoja. The population increase over the years had led to the increase rate of expansion of built-up areas which consequently led to the increase emission and trapping of carbon dioxide and subsequently increase in temperature. Records have shown over the years in the study area of the gradual change in micro climate which could be directly related to the rate of increase in the size of built up area. The point for temperature measurement is taken at buffered points of every 200 meters, at the core area of the city and similarly at the fringe area. A continuous fixed site micrometeorological observation is undertaken for about a year. Data for mean annual minimum and maximum temperature, average monthly humidity and rainfall was sourced from the Nigeria meteorological station. A correlation was attempted with use of Pearson correlation coefficient to measure the correlation relationship between the rate of increase in built up and 3 main elements of climate that are directly related to urban growth, the element used where rainfall, humidity and temperature . The result gave 0.531 at a significance of 0.005. This is indicative of a high correlation, which means that as the built up area increases, temperature of the city tends to increase and hence more energy is needed to cool a home. The city core will therefore need more energy to maintain a comfort cool temperature than the fringe area, since the core area indicated a warmer afternoon temperature than the fringes. This result may be contrary to the normal heat oases effect. suggestion is therefore given to curb this anomaly

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