Statistical Analysis of Urban Growth in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Understanding and quantifying the spatio-temporal dynamics of urban growth in Kano Metropolis is necessary to put forward appropriate policies and monitoring strategies so as to make informed decision. The city has witnessed growth and infrastructural development such as low cast housing estates, highways and markets, to mention a few. This study examines the growth of Kano, Nigeria between 1986 and 2005 using remote sensing technology. Markov chain model was employed to predict future land use land cover in the area. Landsat images of 1986, 2000 and 2005 were classified into four land cover classes. Image classification analysis showed a rapid growth in built up land between 13.2% in 1986 to 19.3% in 2005 and an annual rate of change of 1.51% (1986-2000) and 1.24% (2000-2005). The period witnessed a reduction in vegetal cover from 33.9% by the year 1986 to 13.6% in 2005. Range land was recorded to occupy an average area of 56.4% in the 3 periods put together. It was also observed that change by 2015 will follow almost the same trend in the period studied with the built up area projected to cover (21.70%) of the total land area. The findings. The study indicated that in the last 19 years the built up area is increasing in size, and this have impact on the natural environment.