Planning for the Location and Siting of Motor Vehicle Fuel Service Stations in Nairobi City, Kenya

Abstract

The discovery of the motor vehicle in the early 20th century opened retailing of fuel as a commercial sub-sector allied to the car industry Individuals and trading companies organized fueling services using mobile tanks and later service stations were elected as independent business In Kenya the petroleum business dates back to pre-independence period with multinational companies dominating the industry. During this time the industry was controlled through policies which were formulated to guide it In 1994, the oil industry was liberalized and it is after liberalization that Kenya has witnessed uncoordinated and haphazard construction of service stations. The industry was liberalized without putting into place the regulations to guide it This study was aimed to research on factors that lead to uncoordinated development of the motor vehicle fuel service stations (MVFSS) in Nairobi The changing trend of the services provided alongside fueling and why there has been no change in motor vehicle planning, siting and development were analyzed The study reveals major changes on space requirements and increase in services provided and the incompatibility of the more recently licensed motor vehicle fuel service stations to their neighbouring land uses. The study concludes that liberalization of motor vehicle fuel sector has led to multi-economic effects in the entire urban economy in the City of Nairobi The study has noted effects of uncoordinated development of motor vehicle fuel service stations in Nairobi, the capital City of Kenya , which have a leading role in the regional. and the international scene.