Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Urban Spatial Structure using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing – The Case of Nsukka, Nigeria

Abstract

With urbanization and rapid population growth driving global urban spatial growth, the United Nations predicts that 68% of the global population would reside in urban centres by 2050. This suggests that many small-sized settlements will grow organically to accommodate the anticipated population shift and become urbanized while existing urban centres will witness spatial expansion and densification in response to the needs of their inhabitants. Using geospatial technologies of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, this study investigates the trend and spatial pattern of urban growth in Nsukka, Southeast Nigeria, from year 2004 to 2024, and based on the trend analysis of the growth and its drivers, the settlement’s growth was modelled to 2039. The results show that between 2004 and 2024, built-up areas in Nsukka increased by about 64% while vegetated land decreased by 37%. Bare land declined from a total of 9.7% to 3.1% while cultivated land increased from 88 hectares to 98 hectares. By 2039, vegetated land cover is predicted to account for less than 10% of the total land area while built-up land cover will be 65.3% of the total land area from 25% in 2004. The growth pattern suggests the need to institute both urban and economic planning strategies to support livelihoods and build mitigations against future negative consequences of the growth like congestion, waste management, pollution, food insecurity and the many health effects of climate change as a result of disappearing vegetal cover.