Application of geographic information system (gis) in industrial land capability index mapping of a developing country. a case study of enugu area, south-eastern Nigeria

It was projected that the population of Enugu area will grow at approximately 300% by the year 2020. The information is further strengthened by the projected 3,237,298 population figure of the area. This implies that there is the expectation of overpopulation of the area in future. Unemployment and lowering of people’s standard of living are always associated with over population. It therefore, becomes necessary to map out areas on a sustainable basis and most suitable for the sighting of industries to employ the teeming population. Land capability index mapping using Geographic Information System (GIS) principles was used for this study. The study was undertaken using Arc View 3.2a academic, Excel statistical soft-ware and auto card software of GIS. A total of 12 land use determinants were selected as thematic data layers and basic factors influencing the choice of industrial land use. Soil characteristics and geology were integrated into the thematic maps to facilitate the weighting of the basic determinants. The thematic layers were weighted on a scale of 0%-100% and 0-2 inclusive, using the criteria obtained from field work and laboratory investigation. The thematic layers were subjected to overlay using arc view soft ware overlay model builder. The operation yielded a layer of preferred industrial land use options in a map form. 3 areas of varying suitabilities (Area 7,8 and 9) resulted from this operation. Area 7 occupies 10% of the study area suitable for industrial land use options; area 8 occupies 70% and has low suitability for industrial land use while area 9 occupies 20% of the land unit unsuitable for industrial land use.