Spatial Non-Compliance and Ecosystem Risk of Service-Station Proliferation in a Densely Populated Tropical Megacity District: A GIS-Based Assessment of Funa, Kinshasa (DR Congo)

Kumbu Ngoma Gautier (Assistant, Faculty of Oil, Gas and Renewable Energy, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DR Congo)
Vuni Simbu Alexis (Assistant, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DR Congo)
Mayala Tshiamu Héritier (Researcher, Geo-Hydro-Energy Group, Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DR Congo)
Ntombi Mwen Mutsindu Abel (Assistant, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DR Congo)
Losembe Konga Moïse (Assistant, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DR Congo)
Lemfu Emmanuel (Researcher, Geo-Hydro-Energy Group, Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DR Congo)
Umba Siasi Victorine (Researcher, Geo-Hydro-Energy Group, Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DR Congo)
Fils Makanzu Imwangana (Professor, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa Director-General, National Institute of Building and Public Works, Kinshasa, DR Congo)
N'zau Umba-di-Mbudi Clement (Professor, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University of Kinshasa Dean, Polytechnic Faculty, President Joseph Kasa-Vubu University, Boma, DR Congo)

SRIWIJAYA JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENT
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Sriwijaya Journal of Environment

Background: Unregulated proliferation of open-air service (petrol) stations in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, poses ecosystem and public-health risks through soil, water and air pollution, fire, and chronic exposure to carcinogenic volatile hydrocarbons. Objective: This study assessed compliance of station siting with separation-distance standards and quantified the resulting spatial risk in the Funa pilot district. Methods: Twenty-four stations were geolocated by GPS (2019–2023); Euclidean distances to the nearest dwelling, school, church and hospital, and to the nearest neighbouring station, were computed in a GIS and analysed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey HSD, Pearson correlation, regression and principal component analysis, then synthesised in a composite Spatial Encroachment Risk Index (SERI). Results: Mean station-to-dwelling distance was 21.8 ± 7.8 m, with no station meeting the 50 m minimum; mean distances to schools (157.8 ± 48.5 m), churches (127.9 ± 42.2 m) and hospitals (286.7 ± 103.0 m) all fell below the 500 m standard (0% compliance), and only 20.8% met the 500 m inter-station criterion. Distances differed by receptor class (F(3,92) = 77.07, p < 0.001, η² = 0.715), and newer stations were sited closer to receptors (hospitals r = −0.745, p < 0.001); 21 of 24 stations were High or Very High risk. Conclusion: Total non-compliance demonstrates an urgent need for a specific siting decree and an accompanying layout manual to protect the urban ecosystem and population health.