Impact of Telecommunication Masts on Environmental Planning in Enugu Urban Area of Enugu State

This research assesses the impact of telecommunication masts on environmental planning in Enugu Urban Area of Enugu State. Eighteen (18) layouts in the three local government area of Enugu Urban (Enugu North, Enugu South and Enugu East) were randomly selected for purpose of data collection. The study areas in the selected local government areas were stratified into three (3) homogenous residential densities namely, Low, Medium and High. Three hundred and eighty (380) questionnaires were randomly administered out of which 297 response rate representing 78.5% were returned, examined and analyzed. The research identified means of the spatial distribution of masts location by measurement of the distance between each masts, its attributes such as; nature of land for masts erection, nature of adjacent land uses to masts location as well as the plot sizes and height of each masts and also the impact of masts on environmental planning which include; impact on urban scene, aviation, aesthetics and visual intrusion, public utilities, diversion in roads, buildings and general well being of man. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi- square were employed in testing the hypotheses. The result revealed that the prime targets were dissatisfied with the location of masts. There was significant variance in the spatial distribution of masts in layouts plan. But there was no significant difference in the negative impact of telecommunication masts on environmental planning. It also identified four hundred and sixty one (461) base stations randomly distributed within the eighteen layouts. In the high density layouts, the observed mean distance between masts located is less than 1km. Thus the spatial distribution is neither clustered nor dispersed but random in nature while the mean distance for medium ranges from 0.7km to 1km and low density layout is above 1km. This also confirms random distribution of masts location. The study recommends that telecommunication operators should prepare and submit their program on network expansion for integration into the land use plan of the study area and for the city in general. The study concludes that future location of telecommunication masts in the study area should be based on conscious planning decisions and telecommunication operators should adopt the means of co-location.