Development of Road Network GIS for Urban Safety and Security in Awka, Anambra State

Abstract

Urban safety and effective emergency management depend greatly on the efficiency of road network systems. This study focuses on developing a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based road network database for enhancing urban safety and emergency response in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. The research integrates spatial data derived from satellite imagery, Global Positioning System (GPS) surveys, and administrative datasets into a digital geodatabase using ArcGIS 10.7. Network analysis tools such as Service Area and Closest Facility were employed to evaluate the distribution of police stations, determine emergency response coverage, and optimize travel routes.Results revealed significant disparities in police coverage across Awka’s urban core, particularly in rapidly developing neighborhoods like Ifite, Okpuno, and Ngozika Estate. These areas fall outside optimal emergency response radii, increasing vulnerability to delayed security intervention. The study recommends establishing additional police outposts and adopting GIS-based monitoring systems to ensure more balanced spatial coverage. The developed GIS model serves as a decision-support tool for urban planners, transport authorities, and law enforcement agencies, demonstrating how spatial analysis can reduce response time, enhance resource allocation, and strengthen community safety.