This document analyzes suitable landfill sites for the cities of Mombasa and Kabul. For Mombasa, it considers geology, water tables, population density, proximity to the airport, and road connectivity to identify three potential sites - Mwakirunge, Mombasa Road, and Miritini. For Kabul, it examines terrain, the airport location, population density, and road networks to shortlist two potential sites near Jalalabad Highway and Ustad Rabbani Road in the east and west of the city. Key factors included avoiding flood-prone coastal areas, porous soils, populated zones, and optimizing transportation access.

1. IDENTIFYING SUITABLE SITES FOR LANDFILLS: The Case of Mombasa & Kabul

2. Contents
The Case of Mombasa..............................................................................................................................3
Map 1: Current and Proposed Landfill Sites in Mombasa ....................................................................3
Geology: ..................................................................................................................................................4
Map2: Geology Map .............................................................................................................................4
Map 3: Mombasa Land Elevation Level ................................................................................................4
Water table and Aquifer Ratings:.........................................................................................................5
Proximity to the Airport:.........................................................................................................................6
Population Density:................................................................................................................................6
Map 5: Mombasa Population Density Map..........................................................................................6
Connectivity/ Roads Network: ..............................................................................................................7
Map 6: Transport Network Map...........................................................................................................7
Conclusion:..............................................................................................................................................8
The Case of Kabul .....................................................................................................................................9
Map 7: Current and Proposed Landfill Sites .........................................................................................9
Kabul Terrain: .......................................................................................................................................10
Map 8: Terrain Map ............................................................................................................................10
The Airport:............................................................................................................................................10
Population Density:..............................................................................................................................11
Map 9: Population Density Map .........................................................................................................11
Road Connectivity:...............................................................................................................................11
Conclusion:............................................................................................................................................11
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................13

3. The Case of Mombasa
Mombasa city is located along the east coast ofKenyahaving population of around 1.2 million. Mombasa
can be divided into four main regions: Mombasa Island, North Coast (Bamburi, Kisuani and Shanzu
areas), the South Coast (Likoni) and the Mombasa Mainland (Mikidani, Martini, Chnagamwe etc).
Currently there are two landfill sites in Mombasa i.e. Kibarani in the Mombasa Island and the Mwakirunge
in the Mombasa Main land (Northwest).
The kibarani site which is located at the MombasaIsland is threateningto contaminate the water tableand
the sea water because of the porous soil and open dumping, respectively. The Mwakirunge site is located
towards the north west of the city. Even though the location is relatively better in terms of the
contaminating the water table and the sea water, the site is 15 km from the city center and the road is not
suitable for garbage trucks. It takes around 45minutes to reach the site from the collection point and
therefore a truck can hardly make 3 trips a day compared to the 6 trips to the Kibarani dumping site
Map 1: Current and Proposed Landfill Sites in Mombasa
Source: Google Maps

4. In order to locate new landfill sites, the following elements have been considered:
Geology:
Map2: Geology Map
Source: Tydall Centre Report 2010
Map 3: Mombasa Land Elevation Level
Source: www.floodmap.net

5. The Geology Map (2) reveals the area along the coast and the creek havingpermeable soil with
mangroves. Due to the nature of the soil no site near the coast and the creek can be selected. Mombasa
has a historyof being flooded almost every year,causing enormous damage. The coastalareas are
labeledthe LLCZ (low-lying coastal zone). The land within 10 meters of mean sea level has been
identified as a flood prone zone (danger zone). The Map 3 indicates that around 94% of Mombasa Island
and 24 % of the kisuani-2 division lie within the LLCZ. From the elevation map (3) we can see that most
all of the city,besides the areas next to the coast and creeks, is 20 meter above the sea level, which is
generally considered safe from flooding from the rise of sea level. Thereforefrom the analysesof the
geology of the city the area along coast and the creek, which is passing through the city center, can be
eliminated, while areas towards the north and the west look more suitable.
Water table and Aquifer Ratings:
Map 4: Soil and Water Aquifer Levels
Source: UNEP/UNESCO/UN-HABITAT/ECA report 2005

6. According to the soil and water aquifer maps (4), the kisauni and Mombasa main land areas have high
aquifer contamination vulnerability levels. Further, the map reveals that most part of the soil near the sea
has high levels of lime and sand stone, which are highly porous materials. On the other hand, the maps
indicate that the soil towards the north and west is relatively less porous and more suitable for a landfill
site.
Proximity to the Airport:
The airport is one of the most important “material considerations” in selectionof a landfill site.Placing a
landfill site near the airstrip is very dangeroussince it attracts various birds around the taking off and
landing zone. The main airport is located in the west of thecity and is connected well to the city center
through multiple roads. There is also a small air strip located in the north of the Bamburi area (Map 6),
helping eliminating that region as well.The areas beyond the MOIairportshare same road connectivity as
that to the airport, making that area a suitable choice for a landfill site. The A109 especially can be used
for easier access to the site.The analysis therefore gives locate two areasappropriate for a landfill site i.e.
the Miritini region and the Mombasa Road.
Population Density:
Map 5: Mombasa Population Density Map
Source: Mombasa First County Integrated Development Plan (2013-2017)

7. It is evident from the population density growth trend map of the city that the density is increasing
outwards from the MombasaIsland. Population density,because of the health and environmental hazards
of the residents, is one of the major factorsthat need to be considered in determining the location of the
landfill site. Therefore the analyses of the population density map allows shortlistingthree possible sites
i.e. The Mwakirunge (North), Mombasa Road(West) and Martini(West). Even though there is already a
landfill site at the Mwakirunge, this area will remain one of the most suitable areas for waste dumping
because of its low population density and suitable distance to the sea and water table. As for the Miritini
and Mombasa Road site, both are ideally located interms of their connectivitythrough the A109 highway.
However their proximity to the airport needs to be analyzedin more depth in order to select the point
within the area.The report recommendsthe improvement of the Kengelani road extension towards the
Mwakirunge for the easier movement of the trucks.
Connectivity/ Roads Network:
Map 6: Transport Network Map

8. Source: Mombasa First County Integrated Development Plan (2013-2017)
The map above gives a broad transport structure of the county. There are two main highways in
Mombasa; the A130 leading west from the city center and the B8 connecting the Northern areas. Besides
B8, the North West of the city is also connected through the Kengelani road. Even in terms of the
connectivity, we find the Mwakirunge, Mombasa Road and Miritini road most suitable sites for a landfill.
Conclusion:
Analysis of various maps and reports suggest the following three areassites as the most appropriate
locations for a landfill site:
1. The Mwakirungi
2. Mombasa Road
3. Miritini

9. The Case of Kabul
Kabul is located in between several narrow valleys of Hindukush mountain range, with a population of
around 3.2 million. It has 18 districts, with approximately 70% of the unplanned housing built on land
confiscated by war lords.
Map 7: Current and Proposed Landfill Sites
Source: Google Map
Following are the major landfill sites in the city:
KAMPANI: It is located in the west of Kabul near the upstream over the Afshar aquifer and is extremely
close to the drinking water well field, creating high chances of toxic contamination of the water. It is 20 Ha
in area and has already contaminated a large quantity of soil water.
CHAMTALA:It is located in the north and is 10Ha in area. Most of the site has already been filled 2-3
meters above its maximum capacity. It would require another 30 Ha to dump the piled waste.
GAZAK: The Gazak land fill was built after 2006 and is 15 km east of the city spread over 20 Ha. It is
secured through fence, is clay layered and leachatemanaged. But since the access to the site is through
a road that is 50 % damaged, it is not feasible for the companies to make 2hr journeys which
consequently decreasethe total waste collection from the city.

10. The following factors have been considered for selecting the landfil site in Kabul.
Kabul Terrain:
Kabul, as evident from the Map 8, is mountainous terrain. Within the city there are multiple mountain
ranges specifically in the northern and the southern regions. Besides the mounain ranges, there is a river
crossing from east tall moutain range, passing thorugh the city center towards the west. The river is call
“River Kabul”.The site has to be locaed away from the river kabul which passesthrough the center of the
ciyt.The landfill site has to be located far off from the moutainous valley in order to protect the leachate
and other toxic material from flowing into the city in case of rains. Therefore analysing the given
information, the area appropriate site for the landfill has to be either in the west, near the road going
towads Jalalabad city, or towards the eastern end of the city.
Map 8: Terrain Map
Source: Google Earth
The Airport:
The airport of Kabul is located at the north of the city (indicated in map 9).Therefore keeping in view the
mountainous terrain and the airport, the northern areas, largely, can be eliminated from the possible
options for landfill sites.

11. Population Density:
Map 9: Population Density Map
Source: Kabul Urban Development Report 2005 (Alain Bertaud)
The Map 9 shows the detailed density of Kabul city. It provides a clear view of the airport, the road
network and the “River Kabul”. Analyzing the density map, we can eliminate regions immediately north
and south of the city, leaving us again with areas in the east and the west of the city.
Road Connectivity:
Analyzing the road connectivity of the city from Map 9, we observe that all the major roads meet at the
center of the city. This means that the trucks will, in case of a single landfill site, have to travel through the
center of the city. This may increase traffic jams, travelling distance, cost and time. Further analyses of
the road networks reveal two major highways connecting the city to the east (Jalalabad Highway) and
west (Ustad Rabbani Road).
Conclusion:
The study and analysis of the terrain, river, density and road connectivity, the report has shortlisted two
sites, indicated on the Map 7, 8, &9:

12. 1. Towards the west, on the Jalalabad highway.
2. Towards the east, on the Ustad Rabbani Road.

13. Bibliography
Afganistan, U. A. (2013). White Paper Landfills And Transfer Stations. Kabul.
Development, K. U. (2005). Current city structure, spatial issues, recommendations on urban planning.
Kabul.
Government, M. C. (2013). First County Integrated DEevelopement Plan.
International, H. (2012). Characterization of the municipal solid waste stream in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Kabul.
International, H. (2014). Urban solid waste characteristics and househ old app etite for Separation at
Source in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Research, T. C. (2010). Impact of Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: A Priliminary Case Study Mombasa.
Tan, Y. J. (2012). Th Management of Residential Solid Waste in Mombasa Kenya. Mombasa.
UNEP/UNESCO/UN-HABITAT/ECA. (2005). Vulnerability and Pollution of Groundwater in the Kausani
Area. Mombasa.
(Government, 2013)(Afganistan, 2013)(Research, 2010)(UNEP/UNESCO/UN-HABITAT/ECA,
2005)(International, 2014)(International, Characterization of the municipal solid waste stream in Kabul,
Afghanistan, 2012)(Development, 2005)(Tan, 2012)