The Effects of Urbanization on Micro-climate of Minna Urban Area

Abstract

This study deals with the interrelationship between urbanization and micro-climate of Minna city. The paper examined and analyzed the effect of urbanization on the city’s micro-climate using recorded annual average temperatures and the population figures as bases for calibration. The researchers considered a period of 24 years (1991-2014) in which population data for 1991 and 2006 were obtained and used to project for the missing years. In the like manner the existing temperature records as variables were graphically contrived using correlation and regression statistics to analyzing the trend values of variables. The time series analysis revealed that the city average temperature has a positive relationship at significant value of 0.000 and at t-value of 104.075. However, there were gentle positive relationship between the city population density and its mean temperature. Population growth rate was estimated at 2.8% and with an increase in the city population from 230,169 to 436,887 within the period of 24years (1991-2014). Trends analysis revealed a rise in population density which in turns has impact on the temperature of the city. The researchers from the study concluded that a weak relationship exist between population density and average temperature of Minna at 12% degree of relationship and other elements of microclimate (e.g. relative humidity etc) are been affected at 88% due to other factors. The study recommended the use of automobiles such as tricycle, motorcycle and generator which have less capacity for releasing less carbon monoxide (Co) and also encouraged trees planting which has the benefit of abating high temperature at day time.