IMPACT OF URBAN SPRAWL ON LAND USE DYNAMICS IN SULEJA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Most developing countries are now urbanising rapidly and prone to sprawl development. Urban sprawl in Niger state has adversely affected agricultural land due to rapid population increase and migration. This study analysed spatio-temporal changes in urban sprawl and land use change in the study area from 1990-2020. Landsat imagery data was acquired, and the data used was subjected to digital image processing to obtain the desired output using Erdas Imagine 9.2. The findings showed an increase of 5.2% (from 555.6 hectares in 1990 to 2552.0 hectares in 2005, from 2552.0 hectares in 2015 to 4346.7 hectares (9.7%), and from 4346.7 hectares in 2020 to 5712.8 hectares in 2020. Within 30 years (1990-2020), the built-up areas grew to 5712.8 hectares at 25.5%. The spread of the built-up regions is majorly residential development due to an increase in population that leads to a rise in demand for housing and forces people to the fringe where land is cheap. The study recommends that the government, through relevant agencies such as Ministry of Lands and Housing, enforce urban growth boundaries and the protection of vegetation especially forest by encouraging tree planting.