Assessment of Space Regulatory Requirement for the Location of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Station in Bauchi, Nigeria

The importance of liquefied petroleum gas infrastructure is undeniable in the face of both local and globalenergy needs. This study aims at assessing the space regulatory requirement for the location of liquefiedpetroleum gas station in Bauchi metropolis with a view to recommend measures for optimizing siteselection for assessing viable areas for developing LPG stations. The research utilized a mixed-methodsapproach, which combined primary data from field surveys, observations, and stakeholder interviewswith geospatial analysis using ArcGIS 10.8 to evaluate 22 existing LPG stations. The study measurecompliance across several parameters, including proximity to highways and sensitive land uses, plot size,setback from road centerlines, distance to ignition sources, and adherence to environmental impactassessment (EIA) requirements. Findings revealed a high rate of non-compliance. Majority of the stationswere not approved by the Bauchi State Physical Planning and Development Control Board (BSPPDCB),only few met required setbacks from the residential and institutional areas. Additionally, few stations hadvalid EIA reports, and many failed to meet the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) standards fordistance from ignition sources. Spatial pattern analysis using the Nearest Neighbor Index indicated arandom distribution of stations, suggesting weak enforcement of planning controls. The study concludesthat most LPG stations in Bauchi are situated in unsuitable locations, posing significant risks tosurrounding communities. The study recommends a more coordinated regulatory approach, supported byrisk-based land use planning to ensure the safe development of LPG infrastructure in urban settings.