A Decade of Land Cover Transformations in Akure's Peri-Urban Region (2011-2022) Using Multispectral Landsat Imagery

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the spatial distribution of land uses in the peri-urban areas of Akure, Nigeria between 2011 and 2022. Study Design: Quantitative GIS research. Place and Duration of Study: Oke-Odu, Ipinsa and Aule, Akure, Ondo-State, Nigeria, 2022. Methodology: ArcGIS was employed in conjunction with Landsat images for 2011, 2016 and 2022 to conduct a supervised classification of land uses in Oke-Odu, Ipinsa and Aule Peri-urban areas of Akure, Nigeria. Data quality was considered such that cloud cover and scene cover of selected imagery downloaded are less than 10%. The classification method used was maximum likelihood, and three distinct classes were targeted: Built up areas, Green Areas and Open Spaces. Results: Between 2011 and 2022, Oke-Odu, Akure, Nigeria, experienced significant development, with its built-up area growing from 45 ha (20.15%) to 160 ha (71.45%). However, this came at the cost of green spaces, which decreased from 97 ha (43.43%) to 33 ha (14.78%), indicating a loss of vegetation and natural areas. Similarly, open spaces decreased from 65 ha (29.42%) to 14 ha (6.46%). In Ipinsa, the built-up area expanded from 6 ha (6.50%) to 36 ha (36.40%), while green areas decreased initially but slightly increased later. Open spaces in Ipinsa declined consistently from 17 ha (17.50%) to 3 ha (3.10%). Aule experienced steady development, with built-up areas increasing from 297 ha (56.86%) to 431 ha (82.30%), accompanied by a decline in green spaces and open spaces over time. Overall, built-up areas and open spaces in Oke-Odu, Ipinsa, and Aule have significantly increased over time; however, in both Ipinsa and Aule, there was a slight recovery of green spaces in 2022. Conclusion: The study shows that the pattern of land uses in Oke-Odu, Ipinsa, and Aule, Akure demonstrates a consistent trend of urbanization. Built-up areas have expanded substantially over time, while green spaces and open spaces have experienced significant declines, these trends align with global patterns of urbanization and raise concerns about environmental degradation and the need for conservation efforts. Therefore, this study recommends that sustainable development strategies be Implemented to ensure a balance between built-up areas and natural environments.