FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Rapid urbanization and land-use modification have intensified surface temperatures in many developing cities, including Benin City, Nigeria. This study assessed the spatio-temporal variations in Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensity in Benin City from 2014 to 2024, and examined the relationship between land-cover changes and surface thermal patterns using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Landsat satellite imagery was processed to derive LST, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Land-Use/Land-Cover (LULC) maps. Change detection analysis, raster differencing, and statistical evaluation were used to quantify temperature variations, land-cover transitions, and UHI development. Results showed a noticeable increase in surface temperature over the study period, particularly within built-up areas where expansion and conversion of vegetated land were observed. Vegetation loss weakened natural cooling functions, while the growth of impervious surfaces contributed to higher thermal retention. Correlation analysis further confirmed a strong negative relationship between NDVI and LST, indicating that areas with dense vegetation experienced significantly lower temperatures. UHI hotspots intensified within densely urbanized zones, reflecting the impact of urban growth on thermal conditions. The study concludes that urbanization in Benin City is a major driver of increasing surface temperature and strengthening UHI effects. It emphasizes the need for sustainable urban planning strategies, including urban greening, heat-responsive development, and environmental regulation, to enhance thermal comfort and climate resilience. Findings provide valuable geospatial insight for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental stakeholders in promoting climate-adaptive development within the city

Accurate topographic mapping is vital for effective land-use planning, infrastructure development, and environmental monitoring. The integration of advanced remote sensing techniques, particularly the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), is highly advantageous for creating efficient and precise terrain models. The importance of high-resolution topographic data cannot be overstated, as it is integral to engineering applications and geospatial analysis. This study aims to produce a detailed topographic map of the University of Benin's Ugbowo Campus, located along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Benin City, Nigeria, utilizing the DJI Phantom 4 RTK drone. The methodology employed key topographic parameters, including elevation, slope, aspect, and terrain variation, to create a high-accuracy Digital Elevation Model (DEM). A UAV was operated at an altitude of 120 meters in a 3D flight mode, capturing high-resolution aerial imagery. To ensure precise geo-referencing of the orthophoto, Real-time Kinematic (RTK) GPS technology was utilized with an RTK-enabled drone, thus eliminating the need for Ground Control Points (GCPs). The acquired imagery was then processed to produce an orthophoto, which served as the basis for deriving the DEM, and contour lines were extracted at 5-meter intervals to illustrate elevation variations. The accuracy of the model was assessed through a positional accuracy analysis, revealing that the generated topographic data achieved a remarkable precision of less than 5 cm. This outcome underscores the high accuracy of UAV-based mapping techniques. The resulting topographic map provides a comprehensive representation of the terrain, facilitating improved decision- making in urban planning, construction, and geospatial analysis. In conclusion, this research showcases the effectiveness of UAV photogrammetry, particularly through the integration of RTK technology, in producing precise topographic maps. It highlights the promise of UAV-based surveys as a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional surveying methods, especially in challenging or inaccessible terrain. By achieving exceptional positional accuracy, these techniques not only enhance the quality of the collected data but also significantly contribute to improved decision-making across various domains, including urban planning and construction.

This study assesses the risks associated with direct commercial real estate (CRE) investment in Benin City, Nigeria, focusing on Egor, Ikpoba Okha, and Oredo Local Government Areas. As the Nigerian real estate market matures, understanding the complexities and inherent risks in CRE becomes crucial for informed investment decisions. The research adopts a pragmatic philosophy, utilizing a mixed-methods approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data was collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis, targeting key stakeholders including real estate investors, certified agents, property developers, financial analysts, and other built environment professionals. Findings reveal that market risks—such as fluctuating demand and interest rates—are primary concerns, followed by economic risks (inflation, exchange rate fluctuations), environmental risks (flooding, erosion), legal risks (land disputes, zoning laws), social risks (tenant defaults, security concerns), and political risks. The study also identifies the prevalent risk assessment techniques applied by investors, including scenario analysis, brainstorming, Delphi techniques, decision tree analysis, and advanced methods like Monte Carlo simulations and Bayesian statistics. Risk management strategies commonly employed include diversification of investment portfolios, engaging legal and financial experts, conducting due diligence, purchasing insurance policies, and adopting flexible lease agreements. The study further highlights challenges such as inconsistent government policies, lack of reliable data, and infrastructural deficits that hinder effective risk management. Despite these limitations, the study recommends adopting advanced risk assessment tools, improving legal frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships, and leveraging technology 9 such as machine learning and blockchain to enhance transparency and risk prediction. These measures aim to create a more resilient commercial real estate market in Benin City, ultimately attracting local and foreign investors while promoting sustainable urban development. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on CRE investment risks in emerging markets and offers valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and industry professionals seeking to navigate the complex landscape of Nigeria’s real estate sector.

The persistent shortage of skilled labour has emerged as a critical challenge to the Nigerian construction industry, undermining its ability to deliver projects within the planned time, cost, and quality parameters. This study investigates the extent and nature of skilled labour shortages in Benin City, Edo State, with four main objectives: to determine the availability of skilled labour, identify the major causes of the shortage, assess its effects on project performance, and recommend strategies for mitigation. A survey research design was employed, targeting Architects, Builders, Engineers, Quantity surveyors and Project
managers. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered, and 127 valid responses were analysed. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, particularly mean item score and ranking, to establish the priority of issues identified under each objective. Findings revealed that the availability of skilled labour in the study area is low, with migration of skilled workers (Mean = 4.40), inadequate training (Mean = 4.20), and poor working conditions (Mean = 4.10) emerging as the most critical causes. Lesser causes include technological changes (Mean = 2.80) and limited career advancement opportunities (Mean = 2.70). The shortage significantly impacts project performance, with the most severe effects being project delays (Mean = 4.50), cost overruns (Mean = 4.30), and reduced quality standards (Mean =4.00), while increased supervision costs (Mean = 2.90) and difficulty meeting safety
standards (Mean = 2.80) are of lower concern. In addressing the problem, respondents ranked improved vocational and technical training programmes (Mean = 4.60), better welfare and working conditions (Mean = 4.40), and the adoption of modern construction technologies (Mean = 4.20) as the most effective strategies. Less-favoured measures included the
xii importation of foreign skilled labour (Mean = 2.70) and short-term outsourcing (Mean =2.50). The study concludes that sustainable solutions must focus on long-term workforce development, competitive employment conditions, and the integration of appropriate technologies. These measures, if implemented, have the potential to significantly improve workforce capacity, enhance project delivery, and strengthen the competitiveness of the construction industry in Benin City and other similar contexts

In Using Colours and Style to Express Specific Emotions, the research explores how fashion designers can utilize colour and style to create specific emotions in fashion design. The research is based on colour psychology theories and enclothed cognition, expanding from a theoretical understanding towards a practice-led approach where a framework for fashion design was established. In using a practice-led approach, the research project ended with the creation of a four-piece fashion collection for women encapsulating the basic emotions of mankind: anger, fear, surprise, and grief. The research project explores how specific colours, fabrics, and shapes can be used to convey specific emotions from an abstract point in fashion design to more concrete clothing. The ability to apply these concepts in practice shows how abstract psychology emotions can be successfully communicated in a way where colour and fashion can be combined with a specific intention to create more emotional garments in fashion design