The Microclimatic Effects of Trees Towards Sustainable Thermal Comfort in Residential Buildings: A Case Study of Bosso Estate Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Tropical regions like Nigeria are faced with the challenges of heat especially during the dry season. Residential building which serves as an envelope for rest and relaxation after a hard day’s work must be thermally comfortable in order for the occupants to have the required rest. The development in technology has made architects to seek for thermally comfort through the use of mechanical cooling equipment. A lot of energy is expended in powering such equipment which invariably leaves a lot of ecological footprint. The more energy is expended in the provision of thermal comfort, the more the ecological footprint on the environment. Trees have however been found to shield buildings against harsh climatic conditions such as the heat from the sun. The development of housing estate in Niger state shows that trees which serve as agents of micro climatic conditioners are not put into consideration during the planning and development of the estates. This research takes a look at the factors that influenced tree planting in Bosso Estate in Minna Niger State and to what extent these factors can be applied towards the provision of sustainable micro climatic condition in the provision of housing estate in Nigeria.