Using geographic information system to select suitable landfill sites for megacities (case study of Lagos, Nigeria)

Type Journal Article - Computing, Information Systems & Development Informatics
Title Using geographic information system to select suitable landfill sites for megacities (case study of Lagos, Nigeria)
Author(s)
Volume 3
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2012
Page numbers 48-57
URL http://www.cisdijournal.net/uploads/Paper_10_-_Jude___Sophia_-_Using_Geographic_Information_System_t​o_Select_Suitable_Landfill_Sites_For_Megacities__Case_Study_of_Lagos__Nigeria__-_CISDI_Journal_Vol_3​_No_4_Sept__2012.pdf
Abstract
Proper landfill site selection is the fundamental step in sound waste disposal and the protection of the environment, public
health and quality of life. Proper landfill site selection determines many of the subsequent steps in the landfill process,
which, if properly implemented, should ensure against nuisances and adverse long-term effects. For example, a well-selected
landfill site will generally facilitate an uncomplicated design and provide ample cover material, which would facilitate an
environmentally and publicly acceptable operation at a reasonable cost. The criteria involved in landfill site selection include
environmental, economic and sociopolitical criteria, some of which may conflict. With increased environmental awareness,
new legislation and certain other developments over time, the landfill site selection process has become much more
sophisticated, as new procedures and tools have been developed (Ball, 2005). Increased environmental awareness and
deepening environmental concerns in recent years have forced attention on the need to move towards a more sustainable
society. These changes in attitudes in many parts of the world have been supported by changes in laws and policies on
environment and waste disposal. In this context, the pressures and requirements placed on decision makers dealing with land
fill by government and society have increased, as they now have to make decisions taking into considerations public
satisfaction, environmental safety and economic practicality. This situation has created a need for more consistent and
objective methods for making decisions; improved access to, and better management of environmental information. At the
international level, criteria of differing degrees of detail exist as guidelines for the optimum siting of landfills (Baban and
Flannagan, 1998). The role of Geographic Information Systems in solid waste management is very large as many aspects of
its planning and operations are highly dependent on spatial data. In general, Geographic Information Systems plays a key
role in maintaining account data to facilitate collection operations; customer service; analyzing optimal locations for transfer
stations; planning routes for vehicles transporting waste from residential, commercial and industrial customers to transfer
stations and from transfer stations to landfills; locating new landfills and monitoring the landfill. Geographic information
system is a tool that not only reduces time and cost of the site selection, but also provide a digital data bank for future
monitoring program of the site (Yagoub and Buyong, 2008). This research evaluates existing landfill sites in Lagos,
establishes the need for new dumpsites and proposes candidate landfill sites, using Geographic information system as tool
and World Bank standard of landfill sitting as criteria.

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