Geospatial Analysis of Urban Development Extent in Kwara South District, Kwara State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjorae.2026.03SI.76Keywords:
Urban Development, Urban Land Use, Land Use and Land Cover Change, Urban PlanningAbstract
Urban development in Kwara South District, Kwara State are linked to socio-economic and political transformations in recent times, particularly during two key periods: These transformations align with broader trends in post-socialist and rapidly urbanizing regions, where economic restructuring often precipitates the large-scale conversion of agricultural land into built-up areas. This study analyzed the present spatial extent of urban development in Kwara South, taking the direction of development into consideration. Landsat 8 (OLI) imagery of 2024 was obtained from the United States Geological Survey and classified using Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC) into five (5) LULC classes; cropland, built up, vegetation, bareland and water bodies. The built-up area which represent urban development was extracted (mapped) and the ‘Calculate Geometry Tool’ was used to calculate the areas of the selected polygons (in km2 and corresponding percentage) in each LGA across the study area to determine the spatial extent. The result of this study revealed the spatial extent of urban development to stand at about 9% (527.21km2), with Offa LGA accounting for more than 33% of the built up areas. Oyun LGA followed with 22%, Irepodun approximately 20% and Ifelodun 12.15%. Conversely, Oke Ero and Isin are the LGAs with least urban development in the study area with 3.57% and 2.29% respectively. The result highlights the significantly spatial extent of urban development in Offa LGA, indicating a higher rate of physical development than all other LGA in the study area. These findings will adequately supports informed planning, particularly in regions undergoing accelerated land use transformations, a pattern common in fast-growing urban areas globally.
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