By Amos Alao

As temperatures rise across Nigeria, the effects of urban heat are increasingly severe in its cities. Urban heat islands—areas with intense heat retention due to dense infrastructure, limited green spaces, and climate change—pose growing risks to public health, ecosystems, and overall quality of life.

The Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (SLAN) is highlighting the crucial role landscape architects play in creating thermal comfort solutions to make cities more livable and resilient against climate challenges.

In light of COP 28’s call for reducing fossil fuel dependency, SLAN emphasizes how landscape architects can help Nigeria address climate goals by integrating nature-based design approaches that counteract urban heat. High urban temperatures are linked to health issues, including increased risks of heat strokes, mental health stressors, respiratory diseases and heat-related illnesses. Vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly impacted. The escalating demand for air conditioning and generator use also places strain on Nigeria’s energy resources, increasing emissions and costs.

Landscape architects offer sustainable solutions to mitigate urban heat, including planting tree canopies for shade, installing green roofs and walls to insulate buildings, and using reflective surfaces to reduce heat absorption. These strategies improve air quality, support biodiversity, and reduce energy consumption, making cities healthier and more sustainable.

SLAN advocates for early collaboration with landscape architects in the planning of urban and rural spaces to maximize thermal comfort and align with climate goals. By prioritizing these approaches, Nigeria can create cooler, greener spaces that protect public health and the environment. SLAN urges government officials, developers, and communities to see landscape architecture as an investment in Nigeria’s future—a

About Amos Alao

Amos Alao is a highly skilled Urban Planner, Landscape Architect, and Project Manager known for expertise in comprehensive planning, landscape management, and master planning. His strong capabilities in writing, visual communication, data analysis, and production ensure quality results across planning stages. Alao has collaborated with state governments, private clients, and corporate entities, holding a B.Tech. in Urban and Regional Planning and a Master’s in Landscape Architecture, with a Ph.D. underway in Environmental Resource Planning.
Alao is certified in project management, safety, and public relations, with credentials from Nigerian and international organizations, including ESRI and the World Bank Institute. As President of the Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria and Secretary-General of the International Federation of Landscape Architects Africa Region, he advocates for green infrastructure and therapeutic landscapes. An author and curriculum contributor, he has shaped landscape architecture education and practice in Nigeria.