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A Geographic Information System Gis Assessment Of Urban Sprawl
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In Nigeria, the urban sprawl debate has closely paralleled urban growth trends over the past few decades. Many studies indicate that it is the pattern, density, and rate of new urban growth that create the appearance of sprawl. Population dynamics are often cited as a driving force behind urban sprawl. This thesis uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and land cover change analysis, neighborhood statistics, community surveying, key-informant interviews with planners and developers, and planning documents to measure sprawl. The study area includes the jurisdictions that comprise the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) of Lekki of Lagos. Urban land cover increased by one-fourth, from approximately 559 square kilometers to approximately 746 square kilometers from 1992 to 2001.
This study analyzes urban land cover data as well as interviews with local developers and planning documentation to understand development trends in Richmond from 1992 to 2001. These dates reflect the availability of National Land Cover Data (NLCD), which I reclassified in the GIS to show only those classes that represent urbanized land. I then compared the two years to show the level of urban growth over the nine year time period. Next, I analyze patterns of urban expansion by using mapping capabilities within the GIS and neighborhood statistics in order to show the density and connectivity of patches of new growth. Based on the density and connectivity of new growth areas, I classify patterns as one of three types of sprawl: linear along highways, cluster, and leapfrog. My threshold densities are; 0 to 400 30 meter pixels per square kilometer for low density, 401 to 700 for medium density, and 701 to 1200 for high density. I also interviewed local developers and planners to gauge their opinions on the issue of urban sprawl versus urban growth. Developers do not see themselves as contributors to sprawl while planners see their roles as buffers between unfettered growth and market forces. The results indicate that Lagos MSA did experience an increase in urban land from 1992 to 2001 and that urban growth in the study area can be classified as urban sprawl with the use of GIS mapping, neighborhood statistics, and analysis of jurisdictional planning documentation coupled with interviews with developers, land owners, and local planners. The density of new development is greatest in VIP and LEKKI, but the pattern and character with which development has occurred in Idomuta Lagos is synonymous with sprawl. Sprawl is also facilitated by inexpensive land with available infrastructure (water, sewer lines).
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CHAPTER ONE - [ Total Page(s): 2 ]The use of Geographic Information Systems modeling has
become quite prevalent within the field of urban sprawl research. Some
research on urban sprawl uses GIS as a tool in understanding the effects
of urban sprawl on the natural environment. GIS reveals spatial
patterns of urban sprawl by measuring distances of new urban growth
areas from town centers and roads for example (Gar-On Yeh et al 2001).
Because urban development is irreversible, GIS simulates future land
development (Le ... Continue reading---
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CHAPTER ONE - [ Total Page(s): 2 ]The use of Geographic Information Systems modeling has
become quite prevalent within the field of urban sprawl research. Some
research on urban sprawl uses GIS as a tool in understanding the effects
of urban sprawl on the natural environment. GIS reveals spatial
patterns of urban sprawl by measuring distances of new urban growth
areas from town centers and roads for example (Gar-On Yeh et al 2001).
Because urban development is irreversible, GIS simulates future land
development (Le ... Continue reading---
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ABSRACT -- [Total Page(s) 1]
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