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Geospatial mapping and urban sustainability: an assessment of building encroachment into the powerline right-of-way in Asaba Metropolis
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DOI：10.1007/s10668-026-08054-1.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Rapid urbanization in Nigeria has resulted in widespread encroachment of buildings into the powerline right-of-way (PROW), creating safety risks and discouraging sustainable urban development. This study uses geospatial techniques to map and assess buildings located within the PROW to identify danger zones and support efforts toward creating liveable, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. The coordinates of electric poles were collected using a Global Positioning System (GPS) and imported into the ArcGIS environment to map the powerlines. An 11 m buffer was created to delineate the PROW. The resulting PROW was then overlaid with building footprints to identify structures encroaching on the corridor. From 1,400 building footprints detected within the PROW, a simple random sample of 400 was selected for further assessment. Results show that the powerlines are spatially dispersed across the study area, with 45% of the encroached buildings classified as newly constructed, 80% built with concrete materials, and 52% used for commercial purposes. Residents reported several hazards, including electric shock (27%), burns (9%), exposure to electric flashes (94%), and powerline sagging (87%). The study concludes that continued urbanization in the area will likely intensify encroachment and increase exposure to powerline hazards. It recommends policy and institutional reforms, alongside the greening of the PROW, as important strategies for achieving sustainable urban development. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on urban sustainability by demonstrating the value of geospatial mapping for identifying unsafe settlements, informing safety policies, guiding infrastructure planning aimed at reducing hazards, and advancing data-driven urban governance.
Keywords:
Geospatial mapping
Sustainable development
Right-of-way
Encroachment
Power distribution line
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