Yaoundé, the Cameroonian capital, is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city where green hills meet modern architecture, creating a harmonious blend of culture, history and urban dynamism. The city has expanded significantly over the years because of urbanisation – its population has grown from 59,000 in 1957 to nearly 4.1 million in 2020. Its expansion, however, has brought about a sharp decline in vegetation, turning the city into a collection of urban heat islands.
A recent study says that Yaoundé will get hotter over the next five years. Yaoundé’s urban heat island phenomenon is magnified by the fact that poverty in the city is high, leaving many residents without the means to cool their homes. This has resulted in health problems, ranging from headaches and fatigue to breathing difficulties. Geographer Philippes Mbevo Fendoung sets out what’s needed to cool Yaoundé down: more green spaces, fewer hard surfaces, new reflective buildings, public ponds and fountains, fans for residents, new shady areas and affordable air conditioning.
