Assessment of Urban Expansion in Parts of Kaduna Metropolis and Its Driving Factors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47514/kjg.2025.07.01.022Keywords:
Urban, Expansion, KadunaAbstract
Rapid urban expansion has continued to pose challenges to people living in urban areas. This study assessed the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) and the extent of urban expansion in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria, over the period 2004–2024. Multitemporal Landsat satellite imagery from Landsat 7 (2004) and Landsat 8 (2014 and 2024) was obtained from the United States Geological Survey and classified using the Decision Tree method into five LULC classes: built-up areas, vegetation, grasses, bare land, and water bodies. Quantitative analysis was conducted to assess the area, magnitude, and rate of LULC changes, while qualitative Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were analyzed to identify factors contributing to urban expansion. The results of the study reveal a substantial increase in built-up areas from 95.5 km2 (5.2%) in 2004 to 435.7 km2 (23.7%) in 2024, reflecting rapid urbanization. Bare land decreased sharply between 2004 and 2014 but partially recovered by 2024, while vegetation exhibited marked expansion from 2004 to 2014, followed by a decline in 2024. Grasses remained relatively stable, and water bodies showed minimal variation, indicating limited hydrological changes. The result highlights significant conversion of non-built-up areas to urban land, indicating accelerated urban expansion over the two decades. The study provides critical insights for urban planning and sustainable land management in rapidly urbanizing Nigerian cities.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ja’afar Abdullahi, Tanko, A.S., Ibrahim Samaila (Author)
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