Abstract
The increase in population and urbanization in Nigeria has led to a continuous increase in the built environment as many buildings are built in proximity to overhead power distribution lines. These lines become more dangerous when the electricity usage is high as heavy loading can cause powerlines to sag. However, in other to control the hazards associated with powerlines, the Nigerian Electricity Supply and Installation Standard Regulations (2015) stipulate a minimum horizontal distance of 11m between 11kv and 33kv powerlines and developments around it. These regulations are not obeyed as built-up areas are still expanding into these rights-of-way and causing havoc on daily bases. Therefore, there is need to portray the extent of encroachment of developmental activities into the powerline right-of-way, while examining the effects on residents. The coordinate of each structure bearing the powerline shall be acquired, imported into the ArcGIS environment, and mapped. The powerline right-of-way obtained by buffering an 11m distance around the powerline shall be superimposed on the digitized buildings and this shall portray the buildings on the powerline right-of-way. Questionnaire shall be used to examine the: factors responsible for building on the powerline right-of-way; and the characteristics of the hazard experienced by the residents. This research involves creating bases for planned development and urban development control thereby reducing development-induced hazards in the wake of increased city dwellers across Nigeria. Furthermore, this research shall be useful to governments and organizations who seek to eradicate vulnerability associated with poverty and other Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
Presenters
Vivian Akunna OlerumLecturer, Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Rivers, Nigeria
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
BUILT ENVIRONMENT, RIGHT-OF-WAY, ENCROACHMENT, POWERLINE, GIS
