Application of GIS Sieve Mapping and Overlay Techniques for Building Site Suitability Analysis in Part of FUT, Gidan Kwano, Minna, Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to produce a visual representation of the suitable areas for siting buildings; this is with a view to reduce the cost of construction usually associated with environmental factors using spatial analyst tool of ArcGIS 10.1 to overlay map layers of constraint and criteria. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This study adopts a Geographical Information System (GIS) sieve mapping approach to select suitable locations for siting proposed blocks of flats for university staff school in allocated part of undeveloped area of Federal University of Technology, Gidan-Kwano campus, Minna. The constraints considered include areas not inside or close to stream and swamp while the criteria are the slope not above 25%, sites area above 2000 Sqm areas within 400 m to electricity power line and areas 100 m away from the main road. 3D coordinates (xyz) data were obtained from ground survey using the Hi-Target V30 GNSS receiver to create the topographic map of the site. Findings: The result revealed that only four (4) sites are suitable for siting building covering an area of 2.98Ha (1.65%) out of the total area of 55.30Ha. It was found from the suitability map that the southern part of the research area is most suitable for siting building. Applications/Improvements: This type of analysis should be done before any structure is sited to avoid assumptions about the suitability of sites. There is the need for further study on the impact of geotechnical factors in the suitability analysis