Abstract

This study has attempted to investigate and analyze the land use changes that have occurred in Kaduna North Local Government Area between 1993 and 2007. In the study, an integrated approach involving remote sensing and GIS was used for evaluation of urban growth and its impact on land use in the study area. The procedure of analysis adopted provided an efficient way to detect urban expansion and to evaluate the resultant spatial patterns. Results revealed considerable land use changes within the period. Remarkable increase in residential, commercial, communication, agricultural, recreational, and institutional land use types have been observed over the years between 1993 and 2007. This increase can be attributed to growth in population. Urban land development due to increase in population was intensified all over the town within the time frame under reference. This method enabled us to understand the processes that generated land uses and appropriate and efficient uses to which the available land was put. This method could also provide comprehensive planning at the town’s regional scale and particular sub areas within the town. It would thus be possible to make a more judicious use of the open underdeveloped land for long-term planning.

Key Words: Land use, Remote sensing, GIS, Kaduna North, study area, Urbanization