Scaling nature-based solutions for climate resilient infrastructure

Role: Research assistant, Namibia
Project: Monitoring indoor microclimates and the effect of vegetation in urban heat mitigation in informal and formal areas of Windhoek, Namibia
Affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Namibia
ORCID ID: N/A
Email: jerobhamalua@gmail.com

Jerobiam Hamalua is a BSc. Honours Geo-Information Science graduate from the University of Namibia with an interest in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and spatial analysis for environmental monitoring. His academic work focuses on analysing land cover dynamics and environmental change using geospatial technologies. For his final year mini-thesis, Jerobiam assessed land cover change around the Ohorongo Cement Plant in Otavi Constituency, Namibia, using time-series remotely sensed data. 

While completing his studies under the programme Geo-Information Science specialising in Geography and Environmental Studies, Jerobiam was attached to the FLOURISH project as a Research Assistant. In this role, he contributed to field data collection during household surveys conducted between August and December 2025, on the role of nature-based solutions in mitigating urban heat in Windhoek. This entailed engaging residents of both the formal (Academia and Eros) and informal areas (One Nation and Otjomuise 8ste Laan), to understand their perceptions of extreme heat and document the coping mechanisms they employ. On the same project, Jerobiam also assisted with the installation of HOBO MX 2301A temperature and relative humidity data loggers in households across different study locations, deployed to record microclimatic conditions and monitor the cooling effect of urban greenery. 

Jerobiam gained further work experience through an internship at the Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy of Namibia, in the Department of Mining, Division of Small-Scale Mining, where he was responsible for data management, map production, and contributed to report writing related to small-scale mining activities.