International Journal of Law

Authors
Victor Ani Offiong, Patrick Samuel Etti, Michael Ebgo, Ekanem A Otu

Abstract
Heat Island forms as cities replace vegetation with pavement for roads, Buildings and infrastructures that absorb and re-radiate the heat, thus increasing surface and ambient air temperatures of Calabar Metropolis. It also impacts negatively on human health and the environment. Higher temperature causes an increase use of air conditioners which results in additional power plant emissions of heat trapping greenhouse gasses. The study investigates the impact of urban heat island and captures its implication in this work as basis for the need for a more pragmatic legal framework to curb the excessive human activities which culminate into world global warming and incidents of urban heat Island, especially, in city and urban centres. To achieve this, sampling data were collected in synoptic hours in six (6) locations in the metropolis and two points in the rural area. The data were subjected to statistical and GIS analysis to determine the heat index in the study area. The results showed that Mobil, Orok Orok, SPC Junctions and Watt Market were points with highest temperature. Statistically, the study also revealed that there is a significant variation in heat index between urban and rural areas. It was thus recommended that along with the technological options formulated for curbing the issue of urban heat island, a new legal framework and the amendment of the existing Building Laws should be designed and enforced to endorse eco-friendly urban practices for sustainable development.