Assessing the spatial distribution of fuel stations and their impact on the neighborhoods: "A case study of Bombo Road stretch from City Centre to Kawempe Town"

Abstract

The study assessed the spatial distribution of fuel filling stations and their impact on the neighborhoods in Kampala City, a case study of Bombo Road stretch from the City center to Kawempe town. The objectives of the study were, to establish the spatial location of fuel filling stations along Bombo Road, to investigate the factors that have led to the current spatial distribution of fuel filling stations along Bombo Road, to examine the impact of fuel filling stations on the neighborhoods along Bombo Road, to suggest the possible measures that can be taken when locating fuel stations to reduce negative impacts. The research study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches and other forms of data collection techniques. Data was collected using interview guides and questionnaires that were later analyzed using SPSS software, ArcGIS 10.5, and Microsoft Excel from which both relational and descriptive statistics were derived. ArcGIS software was used to produce Maps of the study area locating the fuel stations using the geographic coordinates captured from the field by the Global Positioning System (GPS). The findings established that there are 29 fuel stations in the study area which are all functional and located near houses with most of them near residences, pharmacies, and schools. Their location is influenced by the tarmac nature of Bombo Road, very many cars and motorcycles, the stretch urbanizing very fast, the linear growth pattern of Bombo Road, proximity to high population centers, high traffic, and storage motive. Additionally, the study established that most of the fuel stations along Bombo Road do not comply with the National Physical Planning standards and guidelines. The research study discovered that the fuel stations impact their neighbors through air and noise pollution, traffic congestion, and risk of fire outbreaks. The study recommends the need to have proper zoning of land uses done along busy roads and where land is zoned for fuel stations, a buffer needs to be added to detach the fuel station from the neighbors. It recommends proper positioning of the underground tanks and breathers in a way that they are not near the people, it further recommends evacuating 27 fuel stations from the study area and remaining with two or three fuel stations as maybe deemed necessary by the approving authorities. The study concludes that the people along Bombo Road are seated on a bomb that is just waiting to blast at any time. Therefore, the existing laws and regulations regarding the location of fuel stations need to be enforced and implemented by all stakeholders.