Spatial Dynamics of Urban Transition using Remote Sensing.

Abstract

Monitoring urban sprawl is a vital component of assessing landscape changes as it directly affects the quality of life of any populace. Remote sensing technology has the potential for acquiring detailed and accurate land-use information for management and planning of urban regions. This study focused on the use of remotely sensed data to investigate the spatial extent of urban landscape transition in Eti-Osa LGA, taking into consideration the nature and dynamics. For the two time periods investigated in this study (1984 - 2000 and 2000 - 2006), urban land-cover increased by 4.7% (929 hectares) and 5.4% (1250 hectares) respectively. Furthermore, results of analysis carried out in the study showed that the highest contribution to urban landscape change was from the sand (bare) class (559 hectares from 1984 – 2000 and 758 hectares from 2000 – 2006 respectively). Results of landscape metrics analysis revealed high levels of fragmentation in the urban landscape for the time periods evaluated. Based on the current landscape trends and patterns, a 10 year forward simulation from 2006 to 2016 was performed using IDRISI Land Change Modeller algorithm. The forward prediction analysis revealed that by 2016 urban class would increase by 2,220 hectares (466 hectares from water, 1,192 from sand (bare) and 562 from vegetation). Based on these results it’s recommended that the Lagos State Government take drastic steps towards ensuring that mitigative or preventive measures are put in place via effective policy implementation thereby combating the devastating threat of urban sprawl in the area.