Application of Geospatial Techniques in Revising and Updating Street Names in Bunkoro District, Cadastral Zone C18, F.C.T. Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Maps in Nigeria lack revision and update, making them obsolete. Maps produced some years ago lack details of recent developments; this contributes to the relatively low use of street maps in a developing country like Nigeria, compared to what is obtainable in developed countries. Adoption of recent advances in the map-making process would help solve the problem of a lack of accurate and up-to-date maps. Therefore, the study carried out a revision and updating of Google Maps and the production of a guide map of Bunkoro, Gwarinpa district, F.C.T, Abuja. The study applied the science of remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in base map acquisition (using drone aerial photographs) and extraction of street survey beacon points (using Arc GIS and AutoCAD), respectively, for accuracy. A comparison of the initial (past) street names was made with the revised (present) street names. The result was a generation of location-based information as regards current street names in the study area. The revised roads include 36 streets, which constitute 65% of the roads revised, 10 closes constituting 18%; 5 crescents constituting 9%; 2 sub-arterials constituting 4%; 1 arterial constituting 2%; and 1 highway constituting 2%. 22 roads were renamed, 21 were unchanged, 10 had no street sign (name), and 2 were recently assigned. The study demonstrates a way in which remote sensing and GIS could be used to tackle the issue of obsolete maps in Nigeria. The study recommends the adoption of regular revisions of maps in Nigeria and the implementation of the updates acquired.