Adapting Nigeria cities to climate change using design options: a review

Abstract

Problem Statement: Nigeria like the rest of the entire continent of Africa is considered highly vulnerable to climate change because of its high exposure and sensitivity, limited adaptive capacity, poverty, illiteracy, food insecurity, and disease all of which interact with Climate change. Approach: The aim of the study is to introduce the need to utilize design options as an approach to climate change adaptation strategy in Nigeria cities. Literatures were identified for review through a comprehensive search by using electronic and non-electronic databases. Related published literature and documents were searched in a systematic way using a range of key words relating to climate change vulnerability and adaptation. Results: The literature review indicates that adaptation to climate change is hazard specific and factors that determine whether or not adaptation occurs will operate at a variety of scales. The review also indicates that the fight against climate change in our cities could be pursued through three scales: Conurbation/catchment Scale, Neighborhood Scale and Building Scales; using architectural design options. These designs will have additional ecological, biodiversity, recreational, health and flood storage benefits to the environment. Conclusion: Reducing climate-induced threats that contribute to environmental degradation, there will be a need to develop an integrated approach at different scales and implement sustainable adaptive strategies using design options.