Abstract:
This study reviews the effect of urbanization on human thermal comfort over Nairobi city in Kenya. Urbanization
alters urban centre’s land use and land cover, modifying the climate of the urban setting.
The modification in climate affects human comfort and the environment at large. This study focuses
on the recent studies conducted in Nairobi city and many other cities globally to examine modification
of wind, temperature and humidity over Nairobi. There was observed reduction in wind speed and relative
humidity over the city, posing threat to human and animal comfort and the environment at large.
The city of Nairobi, just like other cities globally is observed to experience urban heat island (UHI). The
observed increase in minimum temperature as compared to maximum temperature signifies overall
warming. A combination of all these changes reduces human comfort. Borrowing lessons from developed
cities, increasing the urban forest cover is thus suggested as one of the practical and effective
measures that can help prevent further modification of weather and urban climates. The study recommends
further research involving multi-sectoral urban stake holders, on forcing driving urban thermal
comfort. In the short term, design and construction of appropriate structures can help minimize energy
consumption and emissions, thus enhancing comfort.
