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The role of urban green infrastructure in mitigating land surface temperature in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

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Abstract

Green infrastructure in developed countries has been used as a climate change adaptation strategy to lower increased temperatures in cities. But, the use of green infrastructure to provide ecosystem services and increase resilience is largely overlooked in climate change and urban policies in the developing world. This study analyzed the role of urbanization and green infrastructure on urban surface temperatures in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, in sub-Saharan Africa. We use available geospatial data and techniques to spatially and temporally explore urbanization and land surface temperatures (LSTs) over 20 years. The effect of specific green infrastructure areas in the city on LSTs was also analyzed. Results show increased urbanization rates and increased temperature trends across time and space. But, LST in green infrastructure areas was indeed lower than adjacent impervious, urbanized areas. Seasonal phenological differences due to rainfall patterns, available planting space, and site limitations should be accounted for to maximize temperature reduction benefits. We discuss an approach on how study findings and urban and peri-urban agriculture and forestry are being used for policy uptake and formulation in the field of climate change, food security, and urbanization by the municipal government in this city in Burkina Faso.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Narcisse Gahi, Institute d’application et de vulgarisation en sciences- IAVS in Ouagadougou and Hamidou Baguian, Municipalité de Bobo-Dioulasso for support with data. This study was coordinated by the International Network of Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food security (RUAF) and funded by UN-Habitat Cities, Climate Change Initiative, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), and the Netherlands Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS) for the benefit of developing countries. However, views expressed and information are not necessarily those of, or endorsed by UN Habitat, DFID, DGIS, or the entities managing the delivery of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network, which can accept no responsibility or liability for such views, completeness, or accuracy of the information or for any reliance placed on them.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Territorial Studies, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, National University of Rosario, Parque Villarino, C. C. 14, S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Santa Fe, Argentina

    Néstor Di Leo

  2. School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida-IFAS, 361 Newins-Ziegler Hall, PO Box 110410, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Francisco J. Escobedo

  3. RUAF Foundation-International Network of Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food Security, Kastanjelaan 5, 3833 AN, Leusden, The Netherlands

    Marielle Dubbeling

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  1. Néstor Di Leo
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  2. Francisco J. Escobedo
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  3. Marielle Dubbeling
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Correspondence to Francisco J. Escobedo.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 6 and Fig. 8.

Table 6 Climate data for Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, showing fluctuations in monthly mean temperature (temp.) and precipitation as well as the monthly average maximum (max.), minimum (min.), and mean
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Fig. 8
figure 8figure 8

Land surface temperature (LST) images for Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, with corresponding date of acquisition for 12 of the total 16 images used (day/month/year)

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Di Leo, N., Escobedo, F.J. & Dubbeling, M. The role of urban green infrastructure in mitigating land surface temperature in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Environ Dev Sustain 18, 373–392 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-015-9653-y

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