Site Suitability Analysis of Smog Cutting Towers in District Lahore, Pakistan

Siddra Noor; Shakeel Mahmood; Warda Habib

Authors

Siddra Noor Department of Geography, Government College University Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Shakeel Mahmood Department of Geography, Government College University Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Warda Habib Department of Geography, Government College University Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

Keywords:

Smog; Lahore, Smog-Cutting Towers, Health: Sustainability, Normalized Difference Moisture Index, Site Suitability.

Abstract

Introduction/Importance of Study:

Lahore, one of Pakistan’s most populous cities, is home to a diverse demographic comprising residents from various ethnic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. Recently, the city has been grappling with severe smog-related challenges, primarily due to vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and the burning of crop residues in neighboring agricultural regions. These factors have exacerbated numerous environmental and health issues, making the situation increasingly dire.

Novelty Statement:

Lahore’s 24 major hospitals, while indicative of a robust healthcare infrastructure, also underscore the vulnerability of a significant number of patients to the adverse effects of smog. The Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) reveals limited water availability in Lahore, which hinders natural cleansing mechanisms like rainfall that typically help remove pollutants from the atmosphere.

Material and Methods:

This research relies on secondary data sources, including Sentinel 2 imagery, to analyze urban expansion and moisture levels in the city. Traffic control data has been used to pinpoint areas with high traffic congestion, while elevated air pollution levels have been overlaid with hospital locations, marked using Google Earth data. This comprehensive approach aims to mitigate smog's impact in Lahore by identifying areas most in need of smog-cutting towers.

Results and Discussion:

The research methodology focused on key parameters such as urban expansion, traffic choke points, vulnerable populations in hospitals, and the overall moisture index, which highlights the city’s capacity to retain moisture. The analysis identified major congestion areas, including Garhi Shahu, McLeod Road, Mughalpura, and Shahdara, as significant sources of pollution. The NDMI further confirmed limited water availability, exacerbating smog retention. To address these challenges, the strategic placement of four smog-cutting towers within a 5 km range in Lower Mall Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Mughalpura, and Model Town has been recommended. These locations, characterized by high traffic congestion, elevated air pollution levels, and significant urban development, present a targeted approach to reducing smog in Lahore.

Concluding Remarks:

The identified locations in Lahore—Lower Mall Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, Mughalpura, and Model Town—are crucial for the effective mitigation of smog. The strategic placement of at least four smog-cutting towers within these areas will significantly influence the rate of smog production, retention, and impact, given the high traffic congestion, elevated pollution levels, and substantial urban development in these regions.

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