Geographic Information System Tools Research Articles

Effects of coastal protection structures in controlling erosion and livelihoods

The fiscal and social cost of ameliorating the impact of coastal erosion resulting from climate change is an increasing burden for coastal states, and in developing nations the physical interventions implemented may present a double agony – increasing debt levels and potentially obstructing livelihoods in the rural coasts. Against this background, this study was conducted to explore the impact of hard-engineered coastal protection on coastal vulnerability and community livelihoods in Ghana using a combination of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), geographic information system tools and social survey. Shoreline change analysis by the application of the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) with aerial photographs from 2005 to 2022 reveals an average statistical rate of change of −1 m/year in shoreline erosion of the beaches. A computation of coastal vulnerability indices for fourteen beaches, incorporating coastal protection as an additional parameter shows that from east to west, hard-engineered coastal protection structures slowed the rate of erosion, whereas unprotected beaches have highly eroded, stressing the importance of coastal protection. In consequence, coastal protection has dire livelihood-reduction implications for coastal inhabitants who are predominantly artisanal fishers. A lack of acceptable consultation with the communities exacerbates the effects from these hard-engineering interventions. The beaches of high vulnerability concerns are Dzita, Ada, Sakumono, Glefe, Apam, Anlo, and Busua. To safeguard the livelihoods of vulnerable coastal communities, we support a shift from hard engineering to more integrated and nature-based coastal management approaches on a national scale since most parts of the coast are now susceptible to erosion in contrast to what was previously observed that only the eastern part of the coast was highly vulnerable.

The Jabal al‐Yamh and Ḥattā Valley survey (Emirate of Dubai, UAE): GIS tools applied to archaeological survey and research

AbstractThe survey of extensive and topographically irregular landscapes is not easy. Survey teams often must be creative to cover the largest area possible, in a short time, with limited budgets, without losing quality and effectiveness in their work. The use of techniques employing geographic information system (GIS) tools has tremendously improved the efficiency and quality of the surveys. Such techniques were employed in the Jabal al‐Yamh and Ḥattā Valley (Emirate of Dubai, UAE), and their methodology, implementation and effectiveness are discussed in this paper. The Jabal al‐Yamh Research Project, which began in 2018 to survey, excavate, restore and research the prehistoric tombs in the Jabal al‐Yamh and the surrounding Ḥattā Valley, thus used primarily GIS tools employing remote sensing and probabilistic analysis to identify a large number of tombs in this rugged topography, delimitating areas more likely to contain tombs. On the other hand, identifying tomb distribution and orientation patterns through GIS data queries also allowed us to answer several sociocultural questions posed during the development of this project. This paper will thus discuss two primary purposes of this project's survey: methods for identifying new tombs for further excavation and protection, on the one hand, and the interpretation of those same tombs' emplacement, attending to their distribution and orientation pattern, on the other, thus developing a theoretical and predictive model of the distribution of prehistoric tombs in the area.

Slums Evolution and Sustainable Urban Growth: A Comparative Study of Makoko and Badia-East Areas in Lagos City

This research addresses the evolution of slums in two specific areas of Lagos City, a consequence of rapid urbanization in developing economies. The study aims to analyze the key characteristics of slums’ evolution while analyzing mathematical spatial changes within the Badia-East and Makoko slum areas in two decades, focusing on promoting sustainable urban growth. The integration of Remote Sensing (RS) technology and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools has dramatically facilitated the monitoring of Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes over two decades. This research used Landsat imagery acquired in 2000, 2010, and 2020 to meet our research aims. The research applied supervised classification and the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) for image mapping and mathematical-based analysis. Research created a spatial framework using grid-cell maps, performed change detection, and generated detailed maps to support our analysis. A comparative analysis was also performed in the selected areas with a different history in slum management systems. The findings reveal that both Makoko and Badia-East exhibit slum-like characteristics. Makoko witnessed a significant increase in informal built-up expansion of 27.6% and 7.7% between 2000 and 2010 and between 2010 and 2020, respectively. These changes converted 34.65 hectares of non-built-up land in Makoko into built-up areas. Conversely, Badia-East reported an increase in built-up areas only between 2000 and 2010, which amounted to 8.5%. However, the government’s intervention caused a decrease of 12.7% in built-up areas of Badia-East between 2010 and 2020. The study underscores the urgent need for slum clearance and upgrading initiatives in Makoko, like those implemented in Badia-East between 2013 and 2017. The conclusion drawn from the study of Makoko’s informal built-up areas is that it is causing adverse effects on human life and the environment. The expansion has resulted in an increase in air and water pollution, which is having adverse effects. Therefore, the study recommends upgrading and clearing out Makoko and suggests taking lessons from the successful experience in Badia-East. The study also highlights the importance of prioritizing community needs and voices to ensure efficient resource utilization while safeguarding the well-being of future generations.

Natural Hazard Impact in Protected Areas for Resilience Management: The Case of Wildfires in the Basilicata Region

Wildfires represent a significant threat to protected areas around the world. This threat has become even more pronounced in recent years due to climate change. These fires can destroy, among other things, natural habitats, cause a loss of biodiversity, and affect air quality. In addition, they can have a significant economic impact on countries that depend on tourism and protected area activities. In this context, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can provide an important solution for fire management in protected areas. In this case study, the Basilicata region (Southern Italy) was taken as an example where data on protected areas and fire events are freely accessible and constantly updated. By exploiting several interoperable GIS tools, it was possible to perform a complex geospatial analysis that provided important information for sustainable and resilient land use planning. In particular, areas with the highest frequency of fires within or close to protected areas emerged, which can therefore be attended to at different planning levels. In addition, in general, the work has made it possible to implement simple methodologies of relational analysis between fires and protected areas that can be easily employed in administrative settings so as to make the territory more resilient to the expected increase in fires due to climatic changes.

World Futures Day 2022: A mixed method approach to identify topics of a global futures agenda

World Futures Day (WFD) 2022 was the ninth edition of the participatory futures method organized in the form of an open 24-hr round-the-world global conversation about possible futures and developing an online open large-scale global participatory discussion among self-selected future oriented people from around the world and the public. The paper aims at understanding what are the main future-oriented suggestions and solutions that emerged during WFD 2022 by applying a mixed method approach to the available data. The original qualitative content analysis is improved with automated techniques of text mining analysis (i.e. probabilistic topic models). Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to integrate the geographical dimension with the textual data are also experimentally exploited. The output of the analysis, called WFD 2022 Global Futures Agenda, helps the reader cope with the complexity of the topics and of the 24-hour event for further discussion. The analysis shows that the WFD discussion was composed of 4 main clusters and 23 related topics and contents for each: Complex solutions for complex problems, A hyper-technological humanity, Education and learning for a better future, Improving global foresight. In conclusion, further improvements of the methods and of the analysis are discussed.

A multi-scenario site suitability analysis to assess the installation of large scale photovoltaic-hydrogen production units. Case study: Eastern Morocco

Due to the rapid integration of renewable energy sources, challenges related to intermittence and grid stability have emerged, prompting scientists to seek an efficient and sustainable storage system to address these issues. Among the existing storage solutions, green hydrogen has demonstrated its high capacity as an energy vector, making it a promising solution to significantly enhance the transition to a 100% renewable energy society. However, the production costs of green hydrogen remain high, necessitating a thorough investigation to identify optimal locations for its production, ensuring high capacity and cost-effectiveness. In this context, the present paper introduces a multi-scenario, water-based approach aimed specifically at identifying optimal locations for large-scale photovoltaic-powered hydrogen production units. To achieve this objective, we have developed an integrated framework that combines the Analytical Hierarchy Process method and the Geographic Information System tool. This framework takes into account four main criteria and ten sub-criteria, and it has been applied to the Eastern region of Morocco as a case study. Furthermore, a techno-economic comparison is conducted among the three scenarios, considering the amount of hydrogen produced and the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen. The analysis results reveal that the Eastern region of Morocco emerges as a target area for large-scale photovoltaic-powered hydrogen production units installations, where the sites ranked as “excellent” account for 18.1% of the total surface area under the first scenario. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that the first scenario represents the optimal choice for the Eastern region, offering the highest annual hydrogen production (1,875 tons) with the most advantageous cost of 3.690$/kg. The study's conclusions are of great significance for overseas investors and local policymakers, offering valuable insights into the region's opportunities for hydrogen industry development, given the rising global interest in green hydrogen market.

Coastlines estimation and erosion rate assessment in Tuba Island, Langkawi using remotely-sensed digital imageries analysis

Malaysia’s coastline is constantly exposed to ocean threats, resulting in coastal erosion and sea-level rise. Pulau Tuba’s is a part of Pulau Langkawi which known as a popular tourist destination in Malaysia. This study focuses on using remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) tools to examine changes along the coastline of Pulau Tuba, Langkawi, during a six-year period. In this research, changes to the coastline were analyzed using Sentinel-2 imagery from 2016 to 2021, as a result of the comparison of coastline extraction methods. Coastline extraction methods used in this study include 3x3-5x5 and 7x7 edge detection filtering techniques. Image classifier of Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were also used to quantify the estimated coastlines length. Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) was used to calculate coastline erosion rate from Sentinel-2 images. The comparison between method to extract coastline revealed that the best window size of edge detection image filtering method is 7x7 and SVM outperform MLC classifier. The erosion rate as estimated from DSAS statistical calculation also highlighted that come parts along the Pulau Tuba coastlines experiencing alarming rate of coastal erosion. The authority needs to plan for soft and hard structure to mitigate the impact of coastal erosion in the future.

GIS analyses of land consolidation in case of the highly fragmentated of parcels

Abstract Spatial planning and arrangement work of rural areas is constantly being renovated to improve the living conditions, land distribution and to facilitate work in this area by reducing the costs of transport. The most effective solution is consolidation and exchange of land, which is a difficult and time-consuming process. However, it significantly facilitates everyday functioning of the inhabitants of the village. It assumes reduction of plots of land belonging to the farm by increasing the area of other plots, regulating the shape, ensuring access to the public road and shortening the distances of individual farmland to their habitats (built on site). The purpose of this work was the analysis of land consolidation and exchange process for the village of Lukowa with the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) tools. Primary aim set at the beginning of the project is to compare the state before the land consolidation and the design of the parcel posting after consolidation. QGIS free software has been used to solve this problem. Two basic activities were carried out to compare the distance between built-up land and the remaining farmland. For this purpose, two analyses were performed: network analyses assuming the calculation of distance along the shape of roads and linear analyses determining the shortest distances between plots on a straight line. The work considers the real land distribution, the calculation of which is a time-consuming task. Many factors must be considered to accurately determine the correct distances. It is shown what difficulties and problems occur during the collection of data for analysis, with the correct indication of habitats and indicating the road network or aggregation of adjacent plots of one owner.

RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT AND BURGLARY CRIME RISK: A SPACE SYNTAX ANALYSIS OF CRIME AREAS

This paper explores the different morphological characteristics of residential neighbourhood spaces to understand the factors that constitute burglary crime risk in the area. The methods used for data collection include field surveys and Block Environmental Inventory. Meanwhile, inferential statistics, Geographic Information System and space syntax tools were used for data analysis. Findings indicated the influence of neighbourhood-built features on burglary crime and the vulnerability of areas to future crime risk. The analysis shows the spatial variation of crime risk factors across the study areas and how that shaped the understanding of burglary activities in the area. The study explores the influence of the permeability of grid iron layouts on vulnerability and explains high and low crime rates in the areas of Perumahan Mahsuri and Perumahan Sunway Tunas, respectively. Overall, the paper suggests further research to correlate these spatial explanations with the socio-demographics of the areas studied.

지리정보시스템과 통계기법을 이용한 고농도 미세먼지 오염특성 파악: 동남권과 남부권 우심지역 사례 연구

지리정보시스템과 통계기법을 이용한 고농도 미세먼지 오염특성 파악: 동남권과 남부권 우심지역 사례 연구

DEVELOPMENT MODEL FOR VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) TOURISM IN RURAL AREAS: A GIS-BASED APPROACH

This paper provides an overview of a development model for virtual reality (VR) tourism using Geographic Information System (GIS) data and spatial distribution analysis of potential tourism products. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Qualitative methods, such as interviews and focus groups, gather insights from stakeholders, including tourists, local communities, and tourism industry professionals, regarding their perceptions, expectations, and preferences. Quantitative methods, such as surveys and data analysis, provide a comprehensive understanding of visitor demographics, preferences, and the economic impact of VR tourism. The findings of the study focus on identifying and analysing the components of tourism products and data information specifically within the rural area of the Perak Tengah District. Information about tourism products is collected and encoded into a GIS database. The introduction of a new classification system justifies the development model and outlines a detailed process for each stage of the framework's methodologies. The originality and value of this research used a mixed-methods approach to gather qualitative and quantitative data, illustrating the overview of VR tourism development using the GIS tool approach specifically for tourism products in rural areas.

Mapping social vulnerability to floods. A comprehensive framework using a vulnerability index approach and PCA analysis

In recent years, the analysis of social vulnerability to floods became an integrated part of the flood risk management process, the strategies and policies developed focusing on risk reduction methods that increase the resilience of vulnerable communities. Therefore, reliable and robust social vulnerability approaches are needed, which is also highlighted by the increasing socio-economic growth and climate change related effects that can lead to unpredictable consequences. The use of vulnerability indices is the most widespread methodology that allows the identification of the most vulnerable communities and the understanding of the factors that increase vulnerability to floods. However, due to the lack of a standard procedure, the existing studies are often characterized by uncertainties related to subjective selection of indicators, lack of inclusion of all vulnerability dimensions, equal or subjective weighting methods, and reduced number of variables due to data unavailability. The present paper is addressing these gaps by developing a comprehensive methodology approach which: includes a large set of indicators that are selected considering the local socio-economic context, includes the hazard dimension in the analysis considering flood related variables, and applies objective weighting methods based on the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method. Furthermore, flood vulnerability maps are developed using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, to provide a rapid and easy way to identify highly vulnerable areas. The results showed that the integration of statistical methods and GIS tools in the social vulnerability index construction provides a better understanding of the factors that increase the social vulnerability and offers an overview of the mitigation and adaptation measures that must be implemented by authorities in order to improve the flood risk management.

Spectral indices for enhancing aquatic vegetation: a case study of seaweed on the Arabian coast of Pakistan using Worldview-2 data

ABSTRACT This study assessed the performance of widely used aquatic vegetation indices and introduced a novel index – the normalized difference aquatic vegetation enhancing index (NDAVEI). The NDAVEI was used to map seaweed resources in Pakistan along the 1,050 km long Karachi coast, and the results were compared with those obtained from other vegetation indices. Due to their widespread use in food, cosmetics and industrial goods, seaweed resources have great economic potential. They also play a significant role in aquaculture and fish breeding. Many sea species rely on seaweeds for their shelter and food requirements. The conservation of marine biodiversity needs seaweeds’ systematic monitoring and mapping to maintain the dependent species’ vital biological associations. Despite rich seaweed stock, these resources remain largely unmapped in Pakistan. Given these precious coastal resources’ significant economic and ecological importance, there is a pressing need to preserve and map seaweed sites in Pakistan. Traditionally, marine scientists have used sampling methods to describe shallow intertidal water marine habitats, but these methods are time intensive. Remote sensing (RS) data and geographical information system (GIS) tools are efficient and less time-consuming for mapping and classifying marine resources. This study compared the effectiveness of commonly used indices and NDAVEI to extract and map seaweed resources using high-resolution WorldView-2 satellite data. The results were verified through site observations. The NDAVEI can potentially improve the effectiveness and efficiency of seaweed mapping efforts. When combined with object-based image analysis (OBIA), it provides more precise area estimation than other indices.

A GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making approach for site suitability analysis of solar-powered hydrogen production in the Souss-Massa Region, Morocco

The transition towards sustainable energy systems underscores the significance of hydrogen production through renewable resources. This study investigates the potential for solar-hydrogen conversion in the Souss-Massa region using a comprehensive approach that integrates the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. Ten distinct criteria, grouped into technical and economic categories, are evaluated to identify optimal areas for hydrogen generation, with environmental criteria being used as exclusion factors. Hydrogen production potential emerges as the primary determinant, with the western region, emerging as a focal point for solar-hydrogen projects. A comparative analysis between AHP and Fuzzy AHP (FAHP) results demonstrates the robustness of the methodology. Sensitivity analysis sheds light on the impact of criteria weighting on suitability outcomes, providing valuable insights for decision-makers and energy stakeholders. The study further quantifies avoided CO2 emissions and presents compelling Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) and the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). The LCOE is found to be as low as 35.75 $/MWh, positioning the proposed solar-hydrogen conversion selected location as a cost-effective energy site. The LCOH for the designated location stands at 2.9 $/kg, reflecting its competitive stance. These findings collectively underscore the environmental and economic viability of sustainable hydrogen production in the Souss-Massa region.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Land-Use Policies in Preventing the Risk of Coastal Flooding: Coastal Regions of Helsinki and Espoo

Effectively resolving environmental problems often involves not only technical solutions but also examining and potentially reforming the political and institutional frameworks that govern how societies relate to the environment. Coastal flooding due to rising sea levels, for example, poses a significant threat to waterfront areas. Land-use regulations represent an effective means of mitigating this risk. Despite the multitude of strategies developed for tackling similar problems, relatively few have concentrated on assessing the effectiveness of land-use policies in managing such issues. This study examines a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of land-use policies in preventing sea flood risks in the capital regions of Finland. While the focus of this research is on the coastal regions of the cities of Helsinki and Espoo, its implications extend internationally. By integrating Geographical Information System (GIS) and simulation tools, we simulate future land-use scenarios based on values that reflect the effects of land-use policies. This framework can be applied to other coastal regions worldwide facing similar challenges. Using land cover data and GeoSOS-FLUS software, land-use simulations of the target areas were generated. Land-use planning performance in the target areas exhibited positive changes, as fewer vulnerable land-use types were located within the sea flood risk zones in 2018 compared to 2000. This simulation also shows a strong similarity to actual land-use in 2018, confirming the framework’s reliability. This paper presents a novel framework for evaluating the effectiveness of land-use policies in mitigating coastal flooding risks, focusing on the coastal regions of Helsinki and Espoo, Finland. By integrating GIS and simulation tools, the research demonstrates the utility of these tools in tracking land-use changes and analyzing policy impacts, enabling a nuanced assessment of policy effectiveness. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of local knowledge and a localized approach to policy development, contributing to a deeper understanding of complex issues in urban planning and land-use management.

Administrative Unit Proliferation Through Spatial Interaction Approach: Case Study of Lembang City Region

Administrative unit proliferation is a decision that needs to be taken based on several considerations based on research. The proposed Lembang City region is an area that will develop into a city in the next few years. For this reason, this research attempted to evaluate the proposed area’s ability to become an administrative city using various spatial aspects. The analytical approaches used in this study were: spatial interaction analysis, which helps to determine the regional economic center; thematic overview analysis, implementing village SDGs through a spatial analysis approach; and SWOT analysis to identify Lembang City region’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in qualitative terms. The study results show that the proposed Lembang City area has excellent potential as a city region. Through a spatial analysis approach supported by geographic information system tools, this research was conducted as a consideration in deciding to expand Lembang Regency may provide significant assistance to the government in its work related to this decision.

Geospatial distribution and environmental health risks of filling stations in Idah and neighborhood: A geographical information system approach

This study investigates the geospatial distribution of filling stations and assesses their relative distances from one another, proximity to residential houses and public institutions, and the associated environmental health risks in Idah township using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The importance of land use/land cover information for planning and management activities at various levels underscores the need for GIS tools. The research design adopted survey methods, incorporating direct observation and measurements. Google Earth imagery provided an overview of the study area, while the Global Positioning System (GPS) instrument captured the coordinates of filling stations. The QGIS 3.22 software was utilized for plotting and map production. The study's findings revealed that filling stations tend to cluster along major roads and are often situated in close proximity to residential buildings, suggesting a potential impact on citizens' lives. The integration of spatial and attribute data through GIS facilitated better visualization and decision-making processes, enabling faster and more accurate conclusions. By creating a comprehensive database, valuable information can be derived to safeguard human health and well-being.

Geographical, technical, economic, and environmental potential for wind to hydrogen production in Algeria: GIS-based approach

In this paper, wind resource availability was determined by analyzing the meteorological wind energy potential at the hub height of wind turbines. The wind resource potential was identified in specific geographic locations. Technical factors, such as siting requirements and resource availability, were taken into account in the investigation. The economic potential was calculated for each area of Algeria, considering overall losses. Subsequently, the potential for reducing fossil fuel usage was determined through wind to hydrogen estimation. The main components utilized in this work were a Vestas-90 wind turbine (V90–2.0 MW) and an alkaline electrolyzer. The analysis employed a Geographical Information System (GIS) tool. The results demonstrate Algeria's significant potential for wind to hydrogen production, estimated at 1.093 Gt/year without constraints, and reduced to 1.066 Gt/year when considering constraints. The levelized cost of wind to hydrogen production in Algeria varies between 1.51 and 15.37 US $/kg, depending on the chosen wind turbine. The wind to hydrogen production potential identified has the capacity to replace the entire current fossil fuel consumption in the transportation sector, which amounts to 5.28 Mt H2/year. The utilization of wind to hydrogen in the transport sector results in a significant reduction of CO2 emissions, with a calculated avoidance of 45.69 Mt compared to the use of gasoline and diesel. Hydrogen produced from wind energy resources also could be used to support other sectors, including residential, agricultural, and industry in Algeria.

Pluvial flood adaptation using nature-based solutions: An integrated biophysical-economic assessment

Globally, flood events are considered the costliest natural hazard. Changes in precipitation patterns and large areas of impervious surfaces in urban environments are increasing the sensitivity of these systems to runoff production. At the same time, projected global sea-level rise may further increase the frequency of compound flooding due to simultaneous storm surge, sea-level rise and pluvial runoff that cause vast socio-economic and ecological impacts to coastal cities. In this context, over the last decade, the role of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) has been recognised to support climate change adaptation by addressing ideas of multi-functionality, non-linearity and heterogeneity in urban design. Thus, increasing awareness about NBS benefits increases the willingness to accept these solutions. However, empirical evidence of NBS effectiveness at the urban catchment scale is still subject to debate. This study develops a spatial biophysical-economic framework that allows for the integrated assessment of NBS flood risk mitigation impacts, costs and benefits in the face of climate change, combining the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model, benefit transfer methods and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. Specifically, the InVEST Urban Flood Risk Mitigation model was used to assess the biophysical impacts of NBS on urban pluvial flood risk, benefit-transfer methods were used to evaluate the economic implications of such solutions, and GIS was used to integrate and map biophysical impacts and economic implications. For the case of the coastal lagoon city of Aveiro (Portugal), NBS scenarios of green roofs and bioswales under current and future climate conditions were assessed. The main findings of this study show that green roofs scenarios would save 32 % of the flood damages to buildings and infrastructures every year, while bioswales help save only 0.1 %. Moreover, green roofs implementation provides larger benefits in the future climate scenario (representative concentration pathway – RCP – 4.5). The findings confirm the extent to which knowledge on NBS benefits and costs is partial and uncertain, thus requiring constant progress through biophysical-economic assessment to support an evolutive decision making process in climate adaptation planning.

Geospatial mitigation of the effect of undulating terrain on efficient water distribution network: a case study of Enugu Urban, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract Undulating terrain has continued to aggravate pipe-borne water supply challenges in the Enugu Urban area. The rapid increase in urbanization has worsened the situation. This, therefore, calls for the deployment of systems that can support the effective planning of surface and underground facilities for the development of an efficient water distribution network in this region. Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Hydrographic Survey, and Geophysical Survey, collectively referred to as geospatial technologies, have been combined in different ways by developed nations to resolve challenges facing surface and underground facilities. This study, therefore, demonstrates the application of this technology in designing an efficient water distribution network for urban areas with undulating terrain. The spot heights dataset extracted from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) satellite imagery offered the bases for the re-structure of the existing water distribution network map to accommodate the undulation of the topography. This was integrated into a GIS tool to synergize the topography with the radial and dead-end standard water distribution patterns. The result was a sub-division of the Enugu Urban Area into 12 zones with reservoirs at the most elevated points to facilitate water reticulation by gravity. The efficacy of this distribution network map was confirmed suitable with EPANET software.