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Assessment of Urban Expansion

CHAPTER ONE

General objective

The general objective of the study was to assess urban expansion in Uyo city by utilizing RS and GIS tools to detect, analyse, and map the extent of urban encroachment on rural land use for an understanding of the present situation.

Specific objectives were to:

Investigate the dynamics of rural land loss to urban land uses in Uyo city from 1992, 2008,
Assess the effects of urban land use changes on agricultural land use in Uyo city from 1992, 2008, 2020.
Investigate the urban planning and management response to land use changes in Uyo city.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction

This chapter comprise of reviewed relevant literature on urbanisation and land use conversions patterns focusing on trends, concepts, process, and effects of urbanization, factors that influence land use conversions and responses of planning to urbanisation. The chapter also includes gaps identified from previous research.

Global trends of urbanization, urban sprawl and expansion

The face of the world is changing more rapidly now than at any time in history. The trend primarily responsible for the transformation is the rapid growth of the world population. People are moving into cities at a rate not seen since the industrial revolution filled the cities of the developed world more than a century ago (UN-HABITAT, 2006). In 2000, world population reached 6.1 billion. Currently about half of the world’s population is urbanized, and this is expected to increase to 80-90 % in forty years’ time, growing at an annual rate of 1.2 % and it is projected to reach 8 billion by 2030. Urbanization is expected to continue rising in both the developed and the less developed regions so that, by 2050, urban dwellers will likely account for 86 % of the population in the developed regions and for 66% of that in the less developed regions. According to the expected result, 64.7% population in Asia and 61.6% population in Africa will have settled in urban regions by 2050. Similarly, 90.1% in North America, 88.8% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 84.3% in Europe and 74.8% population in Oceania is expected to be urban by 2050 (UNDESA, 2010; UN, 2009).

Today, the largest and fastest-growing cities are located in developing countries of Africa, Asia, Central and South America. In regard to future trends, it is estimated that 93 % of urban growth would occur in Asia and Africa and to a lesser extent in Latin America and the Caribbean (UN HABITAT, 2006). Currently, Africa is the least urbanized region and has the highest urban population growth in the world, at an average annual rate of 3.5% for the period 2005-2010 (ESCAP, 2011). Despite decline in population growth rates since the mid-1980s, Africa remains the world’s fastest growing region at an estimated rate of 2.4 % per annum. Although future growth rates are expected to be lower, the region will attain an estimated population of 1.4 billion by the year 2030 (UNDP, 2008). It is worth noting that even in Africa, differences exist among the sub- regions. As presented in Table 2.1, the urban growth rates are high for every region in Africa but much more in West Africa.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Introduction

This chapter describes the methods of data collection and analysis and materials used during the study. Remote sensing and GIS analysis was used to establish changes that have occurred in the area. Key informants’ interviews gave the historical perspectives of the land-use and land cover.

Population size and distribution

According to the Nigeria Population and Census, (2006), Itu and Uyo Municipality local government have a population of 158,918 and 2,394,883 respectively. Further, the population is expected to reach 5,317,715 people by the end of 2017. This is influenced by the county ‘s high population growth rate, which is at 2.81 per cent.

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Introduction

This chapter presents and discusses the results from the classified Landsat images and field survey conducted at northern area of Akwa Ibom state. Results of land-use and land cover changes, effect of urban land-use change on agricultural land use as well as measures taken to mitigate negative externalities resulting from land use/cover changes.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings and draws conclusions. It also makes recommendations from the results achieved and observations during the study. Details provided in subsections of this chapter.

Study objectives and methodology

This study aimed at assessing urban expansion and its implications on land-use and land cover changes in Northern area of Akwa Ibom state. The specific objectives were to:

Investigate the dynamics of rural land being lost to urban land uses in Uyo city1992, 2008 2020.
Assess effects of urban land use changes on agricultural land use in Uyo city.
Investigate the urban planning and management response to land use changes in Uyo city.

The study used both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Descriptive statistics, GIS analysis methods, and change detection analysis were used. The integration of remote sensing, GIS and other tools for assessing urban expansion and its implications on land use/cover change provided useful information and understanding of the problems under study.

Summary of key findings

Conversion of land to feed and shelter the growing human enterprise has been one of the primary modes for human modification of the environment (Chiwa, 2012). It was evident that there has been a significant land-use and land cover change in the area where the agricultural land covered 65% in 1992, decreased to 64% in 2008, and further decreased to 13.1% in 2020. However, the area occupied by built up land increased from 1.4% in 1992 and 15.5% in 2008 to 43.1% in 2020. There was also a decrease in Forest from 23% in 1992 to 6.1% in 2010 later increased to 13.1% in 2020. The area occupied by water bodies was 0.7% in 1992, 0.7% in 2008 and showed a slight decrease to 0.4% in 2020. The changes are attributed to the growth of urban areas, increase in population through natural, and immigration, reduced income from agricultural in the area to satisfy the demands of increasing population. For the period covered by the study the thematic maps produced from the Landsat images across the area revealed that 61.5% of agricultural land was converted to built-up, while forest 26.0% has been converted to built-up. During this period, the 12% of bare land was converted to built-up land while 0.5% of water body also converted to built-up land.

Conclusion

The study of urban expansion and its implications on land use/cover change is of much benefit to citizens as well as planners and policy makers as it provides an insight into the significant factors and effects determining land use change. This will to help identify problems in terms of increasing residential land use at the expense of farming land and provide the platform for better management of land resources in the peri-urban area. The better management of land resources is essential for sustainability and for improving the quality of life of people living in the city and the peri urban areas who are mostly farmers (Naab, 2012). With major changes being agricultural land use giving way to residential land use in the peri urban area, access to agricultural land is drastically reduced causing food insecurity problems in the region.

This section is devoted to making relevant recommendations based on the findings of the study that are pertinent to appropriate land use management to regulate agricultural land use conversions in the urban fringes

There is the need for stakeholder participation and institutionalize stakeholders’ participations in land use planning process and urban It is only when the public and land owners are well informed about land management issues that a positive change of attitude, adherence to laws on land use among others can be achieved.
The county government and the national governments should come up with policies to outlaw arbitrary sale of land especially in areas where the main form of land use is agriculture to enhance the effectiveness of zoning regulations. It is important that the management of land be made the first priority in the study area and the nation as a whole. The various land sector agencies and institutions responsible for land management should enforce the existing laws on land Zoning and planning regulations is a tool that is used to achieve development control is an effective mechanism that can be used in land management. Land should therefore be managed using zoning and planning regulations and development should be channelled bearing in mind the zoning and planning laws of the area. The authorities should ensure the compliance of such regulations by penalizing all those who flout them. Zoning will help ensure that fertile agricultural lands are protected for sustainable cultivation.
The farmers in the study area should be provided with modern methods of farming or supplementary economic activities to boost their income so as to prevent them from selling their farms to the property developers or sub- dividing to put up residential apartments.

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