GIS-Based Land-Use Compatibility and Urban Safety Assessment of Fuel Stations in Residential Areas of Port Harcourt Municipality, Nigeria

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in developing countries has increased pressure on urban land resources, often resulting in incompatible land-use patterns and heightened environmental safety risks. One manifestation of this challenge is the proliferation of fuel stations within residential neighbourhoods. Although fuel stations are essential for urban transportation and economic activity, their close proximity to homes, schools, and markets raises concerns about environmental safety, planning compliance, and public health. This study evaluates the spatial compatibility and urban safety implications of fuel station locations within residential areas of Port Harcourt Municipality using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Spatial data used in the analysis include GPS-surveyed fuel station coordinates, building footprints, road networks, and land-use data obtained from Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDRA), OpenStreetMap and field verification. Spatial mapping, nearest neighbour analysis, buffer analysis, and proximity modelling were applied to examine the distribution of fuel stations and their relationship with nearby residential buildings and other sensitive land uses. The results reveal a clustered spatial pattern, with fuel stations concentrated along major transportation corridors and mixed residential-commercial zones. Buffer analysis shows that 357 residential buildings are located within 50 m of fuel stations, 1,043 within 100 m, and 3,068 within 200 m, exposing a significant number of residents to hazards such as fire outbreaks, explosions, air pollution, and traffic accidents. The findings highlight weak enforcement of development control regulations and emphasize the need for GIS-based monitoring systems and risk-sensitive urban planning.