Spatio-temporal analysis of urban sprawl in a fringe area around Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

In most developing countries, particularly in Nigeria serious attention has been targeted at urban redevelopment in the core of the cities ignoring the uncoordinated urban development process at the peripheral areas. The emerging development requires urgent attention to forestall the impending environmental and social problems. The study therefore adopts scientific research approach which involves the use of remotely sensed data and GIS techniques to carry out a detailed measurement of urban sprawl in urban fringe areas of Ibadan, one of the mega cities in Nigeria. The study revealed that of all the spatial forms of sprawl mapped, low density development was found to predominate, and the sprawling growth was found to be more pronounced between 1986 and 1993 than between 1993 and 2000. The study further generated sprawl metrics for developing countries such as rate of urban expansion, population growth rate, population change, per capita land consumption. The study concluded that a vast agricultural land and 32 villages had been lost to sprawling growth and urban development occurred in total neglect of Town Planning Laws.