Neighbourhood Spatial Pattern and Noise Disturbance in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Noise has an environmental challenge is increasing due to urbanization, industrialization and modernization. While residential noise pollution could have adverse effect on health and social wellbeing, little attention has been directed towards investigating the implications of spatial pattern of neighbourhood facilities on noise pollution in Nigeria. This study assessed how noise disturbance is related to spatial pattern within two neighbourhoods in Benin City, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit information from residents on demographics and neighbourhood characteristics while residential land-mix was observed through street mapping. Sixty-six participants were randomly selected from Government Reserved Area (GRA) and Ogbe quarters of Benin City. Result showed that the neighbourhood facilities which host commercial, transportation and industrial activities were the closest to the dwelling units while natural vegetation was the farthest. Also there was spatial variation in distribution of neighbourhood features especially the commercial and recreational areas which affects the noise exposure level. The study concludes that it is necessary to mitigate noise within residential neighbourhoods through proper land use and zoning strategies.