Vertical Greening and its Implementation in the Semi-Arid Region of Northern Nigeria 

Abubakar, Rakiya

Abstract

Climate change continues to be a global concern, necessitating sustainable environmental approaches to mitigate its impact. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address these challenges by 2030, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Greening the built environment is a crucial part of climate change mitigation, enhancing the microclimate of the streetscape and urban environments with social, environmental, and economic benefits. Vertical greening (VG), a significant component of green systems, incorporates ecosystems into building designs through vegetated wall surfaces, improving microclimates and supporting sustainable urban rehabilitation and building retrofits. However unlike in Europe, VG has not been extensively explored as a climate mitigation technique in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria. Furthermore, limited research exists on VG adoption in Northern Nigeria’s semi-arid regions, highlighting the need for more empirical data to enhance its application and mitigate climate change impacts.
This study investigates the potential of VG to mitigate climate change effects and impact the microclimate of streetscapes in Northern Nigeria, offering insights for other semi-arid regions. Using mixed methods—qualitative and quantitative analysis through semi-structured interviews and microclimate simulations—the study evaluates the impact of VG on urban ecological and visual appeal. However, the qualitative analysis shows VG enhances urban ecological and aesthetic appeal, fosters biodiversity, and creates habitats for various species. It identifies resilient plant types suitable for VG in adverse climates but also highlights barriers such as limited funding, water access, and community awareness.
Furthermore, quantitative findings from ENVI-Met simulations reveal VG reduces temperature, enhances cooling, and improves thermal comfort, consistent with qualitative data. VG mitigates severe weather, increases biodiversity, and offers a distinct environmental identity, attracting tourists. During dry seasons, VG reduces temperature, slightly decreases wind speed, and increases relative humidity, with no significant changes during rainy seasons. The study provides valuable data for policymakers, urban planners, and architects on implementing VG in Northern Nigeria and similar semi-arid regions, promoting nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 3, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 25, 2024
• Award Date: Oct 24, 2024