Abstract

The dynamic growth of urban population, particularly in developing countries, has continued to transform natural landscapes, exceeding the pace of planning and infrastructure development. This causes extensive changes in land-use, a severe decline in green areas, and deterioration of natural ecosystems, which negatively influence thermal comfort. This study evaluates the temperature performance of site-scale green infrastructure in moderating microclimatic temperatures in residential neighborhoods of FESTAC Town, Lagos, Nigeria. Temperature data were collected between January and October 2022 from three residential blocks (A, B, and C), each with two data loggers positioned at terraces near trees (T1) and farther from trees (T2). Data were logged at 10-minute intervals and analyzed using monthly averages, seasonal comparisons, hot-hour assessments, and time-series analysis. The results showed that dwellings near GI features consistently recorded lower temperatures than those farther away. Monthly average temperature reductions ranged from 0.90°C to 1.82°C, while peak daytime cooling reached 2.24°C during the dry season. The cooling effect was attributed to shading and evapotranspiration provided by vegetation, which reduced solar heat gain and moderated ambient temperatures. Time-series analysis revealed that dwellings near GI consistently exhibited lower temperatures with differences ranging from 1.8oC and 2.24oC. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of site-scale green infrastructure in improving thermal conditions and mitigating urban heat. The study recommends integrating green infrastructure into residential planning and climate adaptation strategies to enhance urban sustainability and resilience in tropical cities.

Key words: Green Infrastructure, Temperature, FESTAC, Site-scale GI, Lagos