









































Pa
ge

 
1



Pa
ge

 
1

American Journal of  
Environment and Climate (AJEC)

Environmental Impact Assessment in Construction Activities for Dahab 
Tower Building Mogadishu

Abdullahi Mohamed Sheikh Ali1*, Abdikafi Elmi Abdishakur1, Abdifitah M Adan2, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan1 

Volume 1 Issue 3, Year 2022
ISSN: 2832-403X (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v1i3.773
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: October 12, 2022
Accepted: October 15, 2022
Published: October 17, 2022

The degree of  knowledge and understanding of  construction stakeholders, particularly 
project managers, about the environmental impacts of  construction processes has to be 
improved because construction is one of  the major causes of  environmental pollution 
worldwide. This study aims to assess the most common environmental impacts of  the 
DahabTower building project in Mogadishu. To achieve this objective, this study’s evaluation 
of  the project’s impact has used a checklist matrix. Environmental risks were discovered to be 
present in the project, including waste generation (municipal, construction, and demolition 
wastes); changes in the characteristics of  the soil; and the emission of  air pollutants, among 
others. These risks are similar to those that are present in the majority of  infrastructure 
and construction projects. Through the suggested mitigation strategies, these risks may be 
effectively controlled and monitored through preferred mitigation steps.

Keywords
Environmental Impact 
Assessment, Construction activities, 
Environmental Pollution, Dahab 
Tower, Building, Mogadishu.

1 Department of  Civil Engineering, College of  Engineering and Technology, Abrar Univesity.km6 Hodan district, Mogadishu, Somalia 
2 Michigan State University, Room no: 1215 EB building Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan, United states
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: marwaanka9@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION
A project’s possible impacts, both positive and negative, 
on the biophysical and financial conditions are identified 
and assessed systematically through the environmental 
impact assessment (EIA). Along with efforts to 
improve good outcomes, it also identifies remedial 
measures that need to be performed to prevent, limit, 
or decrease unfavorable impacts. The EIA is not a fully 
direct procedure; rather, several phases are finished 
concurrently, and the assumptions and findings are 
reviewed and changed as the project advances. (http://
www.epa.ie/monitoringassessment/eia/)
All across the world, environmental protection is of  
utmost importance (Tse & Raymond, 2001). Construction 
is the sector of  the economy that contributes the most 
to environmental pollution when compared to other 
sectors. (Shen et al., 2005). Constructions have a sig-
nificant direct and indirect impact on the environment 
during construction and mainte-nance. (Levin, 1997). 
Noise, toxic fumes, dust, and solid and liquid waste are 
all common forms of  construction related pollution. 
(Chen et al., 2000). This problem has pushed a variety of  
construction sector companies to develop environmental 
management systems to reduce the negative effects of  
their operations. (Lam et al., 2011). the idea of  sustainable 
development will progress primarily as a result of  greater 
understanding and awareness. (Zainul Abidin, 2010).
Developed nations, professional associations, and private 
organiza-tions have implemented a variety of  initiatives 
to advance the knowledge and abilities of  construction 
professionals and to encourage the use of  sustainable 
practices in construction projects. (Zainul Abidin, 
2010). Unfortunately, the construction sector is still 
learning about the sustainability movement. There is no 
comprehensive source available in Somalia that can train 

construction professionals about the most dangerous 
environmental effects resulting from development. To 
determine the most common environmental impacts 
according to their strength of  influence, this study 
examined their frequency and consequences.

Environmental Impacts of  Construction
Environmental management systems will operate 
more efficiently by more precisely identifying the main 
environmental consequences of  the construction 
process. The environmental performance of  construction 
projects and sites will also increase as a result of  the 
environmental effects of  the building being predicted 
before the construction stage. By identifying the pertinent 
environmental implications, it will be easier to evaluate 
alternative on-site mitigation solutions. (Gangolells et al., 
2011).The environment, natural resources, and public 
impact are among the environmental effects of  building 
activities (Li et al., 2010).

Environmental Impacts
The construction process still has a substantial negative 
impact on the environment, presenting a risk to both 
humans and ecosystems through waste, noise, dust, 
and hazardous substances. (Chenet al., 2004). The 
ecosystem’s impact on construction has become more 
significant as more new buildings are being developed. 
Biological Resources: Various natural resources, including 
“energy,” “land,” “materials,” and “water,” are needed 
throughout the typical building process. (Shen ital., 
2005). Additionally, using natural resources like electricity 
and/or diesel fuel is typically required while operating 
construction equipment. Since raw materials need to 
be harvested and transported using a lot of  energy, the 
construction industry is to blame for utilizing a lot of  

https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v1i3.773
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec
mailto:marwaanka9%40gmail.com?subject=


Pa
ge

 
2

 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 1(3) 1-5, 2022

natural resources and causing a lot of  pollution. (Li et al., 
2010; Morel et al., 2001).

Public perception impact 
The majority of  construction jobs are located in populous 
regions. Due to the dust, vibrations, and noise created by 
various building activities, such as excavation, people who 
live close to or next to construction sites are more prone 
to have negative health impacts. (Li et al., 2010).

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Field of  Study
Dahab Tower is a new High rise mixed-use building 
project by Dahab Real Estate a Subsidiary Company of  
Dahabshiil Group, The building consists of  a shopping 

Source: skyscrapercity

mall, office apartments, residential apartments, a gym, a 
sauna, a saloon, a reserved floor for prayers (Mosque) and 
a secure parking yard. Building location Hodan district, 
km6, Digfeer road beside Abdullahi Isse mosque. 

Methodology of  the Study
The impact of  building construction projects has been 
assessed using a checklist matrix. Comprehensive 
field inspections and surveys to back it up. The EIA 
approach were used by the researcher in this investigation 
(screaming, scoping, impact analysis, and impact 
mitigation measures) with the use of  on site inspections 
and a variety of  building con-struction project criteria, 
the EIA of  construction projects in the study region was 
critically examined.

The Review Checklist Consists of:
• Describe the project.
• Comparison of  alternatives
• Description of  the environment that the project is 

anticipated to have an impact on
• A summary of  the project’s potential substantial 

consequences
• Outline of  mitigation measures
• Non technical summary

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Environmental Screening
To ascertain if  and at which level of  review an EIA 
assessment is required for this project, an environmental 
screening was conducted. 

Screening 
• Creation of  Employment and Business Opportunities
• Environmental opportunities
• The market for goods and services
• Aesthetic Enhancements
• Loss of  vegetation 
• Change in Surface and Sub-Surface Hydrology
• Change the soil characteristics
• Will cause  air pollution
• will generate noise pollution
• Cause Heavy Traffic
• Generate solid and liquid wastes to the environment‘
• Security threats 

Category A
To complete this project, the Environmental Impact 
Assessment is required.

Environmental Scoping
The physical, natural, ecological, social, economic, and 
cultural components of  environmental issues were 
separated apart. Impacts were further divided into short-
term and long-term effects.

Long List Impact 
• Aesthetic Enhancements
• Change in Surface and SubSurface Hydrology
• Change the soil characteristics
• Loss of  vegetation 
• Generate solid and liquid wastes in the environment
• Security threats 

Shortlist Impact
• Creation Of  Employment And Business
• Environmental opportunities
• The market for goods and services
• air pollutions
• noise pollutions
• Heavy Traffic

Table 1: Impact Analysis: Checklist Method
Aspects of  Eia Checklist Questions Will the Project Yes No
Social economic Creation of  Employment and Business Opportunities No
Social economic Environmental Opportunities No 
Social economic The Market for Goods and Services No
Environmental Losso of  Vegetation Yes

 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec
https://www.skyscrapercity.com/threads/mogadishu-dahab-tower-25-fl-u-c.2316251/


Pa
ge

 
3

 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 1(3) 1-5, 2022

Environmental Change on Surface and Sub Surface Hydrology Yes
Environmental Change the Soil Characteristics Yes
Environmental Will Cause Air Pollution Yes
Environmental Will Generate Noise Pollution Yes
Environmental Cause Heavy Traffic Yes
Environmental Generate Solid and Liquid Wastes to The Environment Yes
People Security Threats Yes
Yes= Highly Adverse, No = Beneficial

Table 2: Impact Mitigation Measures
Probable Impact Preferred Mitigation Steps
Vegetation Loss • Upon completion of  development, indigenous plants will be used for landscaping

• Maintaining beautiful gardens, and terraces, and managing the gardens’ vegetation and 
conservation

• Removing vegetation exclusively in designated locations for building and in regions 
where no clearing will take place

Changes to the 
Hydrologyof  
the Surface and 
Subsurface.

• According to the drainage system’s design, the surface flow should be correctly drained 
during construction into the public drains provided to prevent flooding on the site

• Drainage channels should be installed in all places that create or receive surface water, 
including parking areas, highways, and the space surrounding building blocks on rooftops

• The channels should be covered with gratings or other suitable and approved materials 
to prevent accidents and the entry of  dust that would cause the flow of  run off.

• Peak volumes should be considered while designing the channels, such as times of  the 
year with heavy rainfall, which is unusual in the project location but should be prepared for. 
They should not be filled at any time due to the potential for strong downpours

• To ensure the safe final disposal of  run-off  and surface water, the drainage channels 
must be self-cleaning, which means they must have an appropriate gradient

• Stormwater generated by roof  catchments must be gathered, stored, and used for a 
variety of  household functions, including routine cleaning. Less runoff  will reach drainage 
channels as a consequence

• It is preferable to cover the side walkways, driveways, and other open areas with recycled 
materials, such as carbon, to promote water recharging and reduce run-off  volume

Alterations in Soil 
Properties

• Sprinkling water on the surface to prevent the rise of  dust establishes specialized trucking 
paths

• Making sure there is enough space for water to percolate normally
• Contamination from construction waste may be avoided by establishing designated 

locations for waste collection, sorting, and transportation. Drainage structures must be 
installed and configured correctly to ensure their effectiveness

• Installing Cascades will reduce the impact of  water entering sewers
• Controlling and ensuring the supervision of  the excavation activities
• Compacting areas with loose soil
• Landscaping
• Constructing structures to prevent soil erosion in the site’s steeper parts and managing 

activities during the wet season
Pollutants in the 
Air Emissions

• To stop dust from rising, water should be sprinkled on the ground before excavation and 
at regular intervals while work is being done

• Placing dust proof  nets around the structures being built
• Using fossil fuel burners equipped with low emission machinery
• Controlling the operation and speed of  construction trucks
• Frequent servicing and repair of  machinery
• Use of  clean fuels, such as sulphureted and unleaded fuels
• Inform and raise awareness of  emission reduction techniques among construction 

workers

 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec


Pa
ge

 
4

 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 1(3) 1-5, 2022

Generation of  
Noise 

• Using tools with noise canceling features
• Placing signage around the area to alert visitors to the noise levels
• Equipment maintenance is necessary to keep it functional and effective
• Construction work should only be done at a specified time, often beginning around 800 

hrs. To 1700 hrs. Using tools with noise canceling features
• The equipment involved shouldn’t unnecessarily be horned
• Providing informational billboards on the activities and timings at the site’s entrances

Increased Heavy 
Traffic 

• Putting up signs around the area warning other cars of  the excessive traffic and setting 
a speed limit there

• Ensuring that the project’s drivers comply with the speed limits
• Guaranteeing that the construction does not occupy the road reserves and complying 

with the requirements for traffic and land delineation
Generation of  
Waste

• Developing and carrying out a waste management strategy
• Utilizing waste reduction strategies such as bulk purchasing, eating at places that serve 

pre-processed food, etc
• Identifying all waste sources, delegating control of  waste management, and ensuring that 

wastes are handled by those who hold the necessary permits
• Providing the necessary infrastructure to collect, separate, and safely dispose of  waste
• Establishing waste collection zones with equipment for managing wastes and properly 

identified facilities like colored bins. Plastics, rubber, organics, glass, paper, electrical equipment, 
and other materials should each have a designated container

• Ensuring that dustbins are regularly cleaned and sterilized and that all waste is disposed 
of  by minimal requirements and in the appropriate place

• Regulation, reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, rethinking, and renovation alternatives 
are assessed and established

• Establishing the required storage facilities for commodities and chemicals, and controlling 
access to them

• Bins must be shielded from the rain and animals

Security Threats • Putting in place security guards or a professional security firm, and inspecting all vehicles 
and people entering the project

• CCTV cameras are used to keep an eye on on site security
• Collaborating with the national police on security related concerns
• Setting up emergency response and preparation protocols and placing alarms throughout 

the project

RESULT
Maximum Number is (YES) so it is a highly adverse 
impact.
To assess if  the building project had a positive or negative 
influence on the environment, researchers purposefully 
select Yes and No along with suggested experts. When 
the researchers realized the effects the building project 
had on the environment, they suggested taking the 
aforementioned procedures to mitigate the impact on the 
environment.

CONCLUSION
It is clear from the analysis that the planned project 
will have both favorable and unfavorable effects. The 
majority of  the negative effects are viewed as insignificant 
in comparison to the anticipated short and longterm 
advantages that would result from the proposed project’s 
formation and operation if  it is built and run taking into 
consideration the suggested mitigating measures.  During 
each of  its phases, the project will have several beneficial 
economic effects, including the creation of  employment 

opportunities the development of  a market for products 
and services, and the emergence of  new business 
possibilities for a range of  organizations and people. 
These will help Mogadishu become a metropolitan city 
by improving the quality and availability of  the city’s 
infrastructure, which will help the vision for the next 20 
years be realized. The project will still raise environmental 
issues such as waste generation (including municipal, 
construction, and demolition wastes), alterations to 
the soil’s physical characteristics, and the emission of  
air pollutants, which are issues that are common to 
building and infrastructure projects. These risks might be 
adequately managed and tracked by using the indicated 
mitigation techniques.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Among the recommendations are efficient waste 
management, the use of  safety nets and sheets, the 
installation of  warning signs for the protection of  the 
workers, the provision of  necessary personal protective 
equipment for them, and the use of  manual labor to 
lower noise and air pollution.

 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec


Pa
ge

 
5

 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Am. J. Environ. Clim. 1(3) 1-5, 2022

REFERENCES  
Chen, Z., Li, H., & Hong, J. (2004). An integrative 

methodology for environmental man-agement in 
construction. Automation in Construction, 13, 621-628.

Chen, Z., Li, H., & Wong, C.T.C. (2000). Environmental 
Management of  Urban Con-struction Projects in 
China. Journal of  Construction Engineering and Management, 
126, 320-324.

Gangolells, M., Casals, M., Gassó, S., Forcada, N., Roca, 
X., & Fuertes, A. (2011). As-sessing concerns of  
interested parties when predicting the significance 
of  Environmental impacts assessment related to the 
construction process of  residential Buildings. Building 
and Environment, 46, 1023-1037.

Lam P.T.I., Chan, E.H.W., Chau, C.K., Poon, C.S., & Chun 
K.P. (2011). Environmental Management system 
vs. green specifications: How do they complement 
each? Other in the construction industry? Journal of  
Environmental Management, 92, 788-795.

Levin, H. (1997). Systematic Evaluation and Assessment 
of  Building Environmental Per-formance 

(SEABEP)”. Paper for presentation to Buildings and 
Environment Paris, 9–12 June 1997.

Li, X., Zhu, Y., & Zhang, Z. (2010). An LCA-based 
environmental impact assessment Model for 
construction processes. Building and Environment, 45, 
766-775.

Morel, J.C., Mesbah, A., Oggero, M., & Walker, P. 
(2001). Building houses with local materials: means 
to drastically reduce the environmental impact of  
Construction. Building and Environment, 36, 1119-1126.

Shen, L.-Y., Lu, W.-S., Yao, H., & Wu, D.-H. (2005). A 
computer-based scoring method for measuring 
the environmental performance of  construction 
activities. Automation in Construction, 14, 297-309.

Tse, Y., & Raymond, V. (2001). The implementation of  
EMS in construction firms: a case study in Hong 
Kong. Journal of  Environmental Assessment Policy and 
Management, 3, 94 -177.

Zainul Abidin, N. (2010). Investigating the awareness and 
application of  sustainable Construction concept by 
Malaysian developer. Habitat International, 34, 421-426.

 https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

