Characterization of Sprawling in Kaduna Metropolitan Area

Abstract

This study aims at using quantitative indices as an improved approach to characterize, analyze and explain urban sprawling beyond the traditional spatial or cartographic mapping and monitoring method which lacks the effectiveness to analyze and explain the details of temporal, horizontal and vertical dimensions of these urban sprawling. In this study, eight (8) indices; Built-up Change Intensity Index (Ti), Built-up Dynamic Index (Ki), Built-up Rate of growth (L), Sprawling Index (Si), Net Urban Density Index (D1), Marginal Density Index (D2), and Fragmentation Index (F1). These indices were based on three measures of urban growth parameters; measures based on land conversion, density trends and metropolitan form. These quantitative values computed were then interpreted infer if these urban growth patterns could be regarded as sprawling as well as to check for the rate and magnitude of sprawling and thus the environmental and socio-economic implications of these for the study area. RS/GIS methods facilitated achievement of results using cartographic modeling of urban spatial growth which provided estimates used for computation of indices under review. Results revealed that Built-up Change Intensity Index (Ti) has a gradual increasing trend from 7.8% between 1967 and 1987 to 11.88% between 2001 and 2009. On the other hand both Built-up Dynamic Index (Ki) and Rate of Growth (L) showed declining trend from 24.89 and 1.01% to 18.04 and 0.53% respectively between 1967/87 and 2001/2009. Deductions from all the indices used indicated that the growth patterns of Kaduna Metropolis cannot be significantly regarded as sprawling. Kaduna metropolis is a combination of traditional and modern city with compact built-up, even though it is surrounded with medium developments along its ribbon-like transportation routes including the Kaduna-Kachia, Kaduna-Abuja, to the south, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari and Kaduna-Zaria, to the north and along the Western-Bye pass and recently Eastern-Bye pass under construction.