Climate-Responsive Urban Housing for Resilient Cities: Integrating Passive Architectural Design and Urban Heat Mitigation Strategies in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation, rising temperatures, and increasing cooling-energy demand are placing pressure on residential housing in hot semi-arid regions. In Northern Nigeria, conventional housing can provide limited climatic protection, contributing to higher indoor temperatures, overheating, and cooling-energy requirements. This study assesses the thermal performance of two residential housing prototypes in Sokoto, Nigeria: a conventional model (Prototype A) and a climate-responsive model (Prototype B). Dynamic building performance simulations were conducted using Thermal Analysis Software (TAS). Prototype B incorporated optimised orientation, courtyard planning, natural ventilation, external shading, reflective roofing, and enhanced thermal mass. Indoor operative temperature, peak daytime temperature, night-time temperature, overheating duration, thermal comfort, and cooling-energy demand were assessed under current and future climate conditions. Under the current climate, Prototype A recorded a mean indoor operative temperature of 37.2°C, while Prototype B recorded 32.8°C, giving a difference of 4.4°C. Peak daytime indoor temperature was 40.8°C for Prototype A and 35.7°C for Prototype B, a difference of 5.1°C. Average overheating duration was 11.6 h/day for Prototype A and 5.9 h/day for Prototype B, representing a 49.1% reduction. Comfortable occupancy hours increased from 41.2% in Prototype A to 72.6% in Prototype B. Annual cooling-energy demand decreased from 168.4 to 104.7 kWh/m²/year. Under future climate conditions, Prototype B recorded a 5.3°C lower mean operative temperature and a 6.1°C lower peak temperature than Prototype A. The results demonstrate the thermal performance differences between the two housing approaches and provide a basis for climate-responsive residential design in Sokoto and similar hot semi-arid environments.