Analysis of Two Decades Variations in Urban Heat Island Using Remotely Sensed Data in Nguru Local Government Area, Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The effects of urban heat islands (UHI) have received a lot of attention because they have a huge impact on human health and environmental resource sustainability. A key moment in the history of mankind has been urbanization, and there is no doubt that the world is rapidly urbanizing, which is causing temperature changes. The relationship between climate change and rapid urbanization in Nguru Local Government Area, Yobe State, Nigeria, is investigated in this paper. The study used remote sensing data to reveal the extent of urban microclimate change trends over the next two decades (2001–2021). Thus, the microclimate temperature increased by nearly +5.32 °C in 2021 (39.39°C) compared to 34.07°C in 2001. Furthermore, the minimum temperature in 2001 was 22.33 °C, while that of 2021 was 23.36 ℃. The built-up area increased by 556.73%, from 446 hectares in 2001 to 2,483 hectares in 2021. Accelerated urbanization and the city's blue and green facilities, which are not preserved or safeguarded due to a poor planning system, are to blame for these modifications to the urban climate and design. The study aimed to determine the relationship between urbanization and urban heat islands in Nguru local government area, Yobe State, Nigeria. The picture of the situation in Nguru sheds light on the enormous challenges that cities in developing countries encounter in dealing with local and global climate change-related risks. Indeed, this situation necessitates an integrated strategy to address climate change both within and outside of cities. Policymakers must increase spending on urban planning, fund, adaptation of approaches through urban planning, and strengthen urban planning institutions.