(Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 2016-03) Baloye, David O.; Palamuleni, Lobina Gertrude
The understanding and institutionalisation of the seamless link between urban critical
infrastructure and disaster management has greatly helped the developed world to establish
effective disaster management processes. However, this link is conspicuously missing in
developing countries, where disaster management has been more reactive than proactive. The
consequence of this is typified in poor response time and uncoordinated ways in which
disasters and emergency situations are handled. As is the case with many Nigerian cities, the
challenges of urban development in the city of Abeokuta have limited the effectiveness of
disaster and emergency first responders and managers. Using geospatial techniques, the study
attempted to design and deploy a spatial database running a web-based information system to
track the characteristics and distribution of critical infrastructure for effective use during
disaster and emergencies, with the purpose of proactively improving disaster and emergency
management processes in Abeokuta