Abstract

This study examines sustainable urbanization and land use/land cover (LULC) change dynamics in Epe, Badagry, and Ikorodu areas of Lagos State, Nigeria, from 2010 to 2025 using GIS and remote sensing techniques. Multi-temporal Landsat imagery for 2010 and 2025 was obtained from United States Geological Survey (USGS), processed, classified, and analysed to quantify LULC transitions and spatial patterns of urban growth. Supervised classification and post-classification change detection were employed, while spatial metrics were used to evaluate the intensity and direction of urban expansion. The results reveal rapid growth of built-up areas across the three urban fronts, largely at the expense of vegetation, soil, and drainage. Ikorodu experienced the most intense and compact urban expansion driven by industrial development and improved transport connectivity, while Epe and Badagry exhibited more dispersed, peri-urban growth patterns associated with residential expansion, tourism-related activities, and land speculation. These changes have generated significant sustainability concerns, including ecosystem degradation, loss of productive land, and increased pressure on infrastructure and public services. The study highlights strong links between population growth, policy-driven infrastructure investments, and spatial land transformation processes. By integrating geospatial analysis with sustainability perspectives, the findings provide empirical evidence to support proactive urban planning, environmentally sensitive land management, and balanced regional development in Lagos State. The results are particularly relevant for achieving resilient urban futures aligned with sustainable development goals and climate adaptation strategies nationally.

Keywords: Sustainable urbanization, Land use change, Land cover dynamics, GIS, Remote sensing, Urban expansion, Lagos State, Nigeria