Structural Properties of Dwelling and Thermal Comfort in Tropical Cities: Evidence from Warri, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine if structural properties of dwelling lead to thermal comfort of the occupant. The research design adopted is the explanatory field Ex post facto design. Primary climatic data for a period of four months (June-September, 2010) were generated. In addition, secondary data on daily air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation for six years (2005-2010) were collected from the archival records of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Warri. The structural properties of dwelling units, in particular “window types” in 1, 250 apartments and their indoor temperature levels were collected. One hypothesis was formulated: (HO) There is no significant variation in effective temperature index and thus thermal comfort between dwellings built with wooden windows and those with slide-glass windows. The data were analyzed using the One-way ANOVA and the paired t-test. Finding shows that dwellings with wooden windows are more thermally comfortable than those with slide-glass windows in the absence of artificial means of ventilation. Strategies proffered for the development of liveable dwellings include: The need for the input of climatologist in dwelling designs and construction couple with the need to initiate policies that make it difficult for residential glass firms to thrive among others.

Key words: Structural properties, dwelling, thermal comfort, tropical
cities, Warri, Nigeria.