|
|
|
Spotting noise risk zones in Karachi Pakistan :
A GIS Perspective
processing, managing and modeling, it provides visualization and map-making tools that can be used
to effectively present the spatial variability of noise intensity.
2. PROBLEM AND THE STUDY AREA
Pakistan stands within top ten among the countries of the world as far as population is concerned
(PRB, 2001). Karachi is the only Metropolis in Pakistan and one of the worst effected cities of the
world due to environmental pollution including noise. Few attempts were made in the 1990’s decade
to collect noise (Ahmad, 1994) and air pollution data (Ghauri, 1998) at problem locations but spatial
variations with in metropolis have been largely ignored. It was mainly due to less comprehension and
under estimation of spatial techniques as well as the difficulty in collecting, processing and analyzing
the data at micro-geographic scale. Nevertheless, with increasing availability of digital data and the
special capabilities of Geographic Information System (GIS) to manage spatially referenced data, the
spatial variations of noise pollution within a Metropolis can now be analyzed more easily and
effectively. Therefore, the study area for this paper comprises of the known old city of Karachi i.e.
from Guru Mandir to the Karachi Port as illustrated in figure 1.
3. PREVIOUS FINDINGS
Although important non-industrial sources of noise pollution identified by contemporary studies in
Karachi are Vehicular traffic, Loudspeakers, Construction work, Trains and Aircraft (SEPA, 1994) but
the single most contributor in this regard remains the road traffic.
Noise level in the urban center (core city or CBD) was unbearable. The internationally accepted
tolerable range of 60 to 70 dB (A) had been far exceeded. The impact, of noise varies from zone to
zone depending on the source of emission. The traffic congestion points in the central districts are
highly noisy Table 1 illustrates the Noise Intensity levels at various locations in Karachi.
Table 1: Intensity of Noise at various location in Karachi
| Location no |
Location |
Noise Intensity Level dB (A) |
| peak |
low |
Average |
| 1 |
Empress Market |
82.41 |
69.14 |
74. 33 |
| 2 |
Guru Mandir |
85.75 |
72.57 |
78.24 |
| 3 |
Merewether Tower |
87.67 |
70.50 |
77.66 |
| 4 |
Lea Market |
86.71 |
68.56 |
75.10 |
| 5 |
Numaish |
83.19 |
69.40 |
74.97 |
| 6 |
Jinnah Bridge |
84.40 |
69.27 |
75.77 |
| 7 |
Mauripur Truck Stand |
84.63 |
65.67 |
73.37 |
| 8 |
MetroPole |
81.96 |
64.54 |
71.95 |
| 9 |
Goethe Institute |
85.66 |
68.71 |
77.17 |
| 10 |
Shara-e-Iraq |
82.04 |
64.77 |
72.28 |
| 11 |
Regal |
82.80 |
67.49 |
74.21 |
| 12 |
Plaza |
86.63 |
71.30 |
78.32 |
| 13 |
Shaheen Complex |
87.21 |
71.22 |
77.84 |
| 14 |
Denso Hall |
86.51 |
70.66 |
77.85 |
| 15 |
Sindh Madrsa |
84.75 |
66.08 |
74.16 |
| 16 |
Burns Road |
86.08 |
70.36 |
76.81 |
| 17 |
Eid Gah |
85.33 |
68.61 |
76.29 |
| 18 |
Garden |
86.10 |
70.74 |
76.92 |
| 19 |
West Wharf |
81.87 |
63.65 |
70.73 |
| 20 |
Agha Khan Jamatkhana |
86.69 |
70.87 |
76.97 |
| 21 |
Wazir Mansion |
88.89 |
67.83 |
79.01 |
| 22 |
Zainab Market |
80.44 |
65.55 |
71.70 |
| 23 |
Lucky Star |
83.50 |
66.75 |
73.38 |
| 24 |
Zaibunisa Street |
81.22 |
62.37 |
70.78 |
|
|
|