Yaoundé Cameroon’s capital and largest city, will soon experience some of the highest temperature increases in the world. In 2015, average temperatures already stand at 31°C, and forecasts show an increase to a staggering 38°C by 2030. This shift poses severe challenges for the city’s population, particularly for those in impoverished neighborhoods who lack the resources to adequately cool their homes. As urban heat islands become more pronounced due to poor building designs and a decrease in vegetation, the need for innovative green design solutions has never been more urgent.
Unfortunately, the quick urbanization of Yaoundé has resulted in a concerning loss of green spaces and natural vegetation. In 1957, Yaoundé’s population was still a modest one, with just 59,000 inhabitants. By 2020, that number had skyrocketed to almost 4.1 million, generating an explosive demand for housing and infrastructure. This rapid growth did come with negative consequences. Since 2015, impervious surfaces, such as pavements and parking lots, have increased by a factor of six, intensifying the urban heat island effect.
Climate change is a multiplier of the environmental crisis we are living through today. This contributes to rising temperatures and makes extreme weather events more frequent. Only 2.9 percent of households own air conditioning. Yet with the national monthly minimum wage at a mere US$70, most residents are unable to cover this cost and are placed at risk of heat-related illnesses. Now, reports indicate that 9 out of 10 households in Yaoundé are experiencing an increase in heat-related strokes. Yet, they are suffering from respiratory issues such as asthma.
The Urban Heat Island Effect
The urban heat island effect in Yaoundé is worsening, for a variety of connected reasons. As the city developed, natural spaces were replaced with what is now a mostly concrete and asphalt city. This heat retention exacerbates already high temperatures considerably. This creates a dangerous situation for residents who are often unable to escape the extreme heat during the hottest hours of the day.
In working-class communities, many buildings are functionally useless and poorly designed with no ventilation or insulation. This shortcoming keeps homes from being able to cool off at night, when air temperatures drop and provide relief, keeping the heat contained and making homes unlivable. The scenario gets horrible for households making between US$89 and US$177 monthly. They are, among other things, beset by the dual burdens of soaring ground-level temperatures and financial precarity.
Climate change projections predict that temperatures in the capital Yaoundé will only increase more in the next five years. As such, addressing the urban heat island effect has emerged as a key priority. Experts insist that better design in our buildings and the integration of much-needed cooling strategies can go a long way toward making life better for residents.
Water Scarcity and Increasing Demand
As the weather has gotten hotter, the demand for water in Yaoundé has increased. The city’s current and future residents need trustworthy access to clean potable water, for everything from hydration, food prep, bathing, and more—water is infrastructure after all. Unfortunately, our current infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle this increased demand. Climate change has resulted in increased extreme weather patterns, such as flooding and drought, which destroys infrastructure that supplies water and intensifies scarcity at the same time.
The loss of forest cover around Yaoundé has put an even greater pressure on water sources. In the last ten years, forests in the region have been cut in half, reducing overall rainfall and impacting the region’s global hydrological cycle. This loss of vegetation contributes to the urban heat island effect and reduces the city’s natural capacity to manage stormwater.
Urban planners and environmentalists are working to address these challenges. They campaigned for more greenery – parks, gardens, tree-lined avenues – to cool the city and better absorb rainfall. These projects would not only help counter the dangerous increase in heat, they would make Yaoundé a more enjoyable place to live.
The Path Forward: Green Design Solutions
To offset the soaring heat in Yaoundé, experts are calling for new, cutting-edge design with green solutions integrated within. These strategies emphasize the integration of green roofs and vertical gardens. They include permeable pavements that absorb more water and cool the surface. In addition to addressing heat concerns, these designs make neighborhoods more visually appealing.
Investment in public green spaces is just as important. Parks should be used as spaces for the community, where people can go to enjoy shade, recreation, and benefits of cleaner air quality. Tree planting initiatives provide double benefits — cooling overwhelmingly hot neighborhoods while increasing local biodiversity.
Raising local awareness of sustainability initiatives can help to engage community members and inspire residents to change the way they live. Simple actions like planting trees or utilizing reflective materials in home construction can make a significant difference in mitigating heat retention.