Jul 2026· Asian Journal of Geographical Research· Vol 9, pp. 381-393· 0 citations
Abstract
Land use and land cover (LULC) change reflects the interaction of physical, social, and economic processes. Although previous studies have documented LULC change using remote sensing and GIS techniques, limited attention has been given to the combined influence of these factors in rapidly industrialising mining regions. This study assesses the physical, social, and economic factors associated with LULC change in Jharsuguda district, Odisha, using a descriptive analytical approach. Secondary data from Bhuvan LULC datasets, census publications, government reports, and departmental statistics were analysed through trend analysis and temporal comparison. LULC statistics for 2005–06, 2011–12, and 2015–16 were examined alongside rainfall, population, urbanisation, agricultural activity, mining and industrial development, and workforce indicators. The results reveal substantial landscape transformation, with mining land increasing from 23.16 km² in 2005–06 to 62.65 km² in 2015–16. Agricultural land exhibited fluctuations, while built-up land changed in response to urban and industrial expansion. Forest cover and water bodies remained relatively stable. Population growth, urbanisation, mining and industrial expansion, workforce transformation, rainfall variability, and topographic conditions were found to be associated with observed LULC changes. The study demonstrates that landscape transformation in Jharsuguda results from the interaction of multiple physical, social, and economic factors, with mining and industrial development emerging as the dominant influences. The integrated analytical framework provides a useful basis for understanding LULC change and supporting sustainable land-use planning in rapidly developing mining regions.
The objective of this study was to examine the influence of population growth, housing expansion, land tenure conflicts and economic incentives on land-use change and farmland depletion in Ha Foso, a peri-urban area near Maseru in Lesotho. Quantitative data obtained from household questionnaires were coded and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Land-use change and farmland depletion remain critical challenges in peri-urban environments where rapid population growth and urban expansion place increasing pressure on limited agricultural land resources. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, integrating household questionnaires, interviews, field observations and geospatial analysis to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. Stratified sampling was used to ensure adequate representation across different settlement densities within the study area. Qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes. In addition, historical satellite imagery and spatial datasets were processed and analysed using ArcGIS 10.8 to examine land-use dynamics between 2000 and 2024. The findings revealed that rapid population growth, increasing housing demand, expansion of commercial land transactions, and persistent land tenure disputes have collectively intensified the conversion of agricultural land into residential and informal settlements. The study provides evidence for improved land-use planning and sustainable development in peri-urban areas. These results underscore the need for stronger land governance frameworks, participatory planning and enforcement of zoning regulations to mitigate uncontrolled urban expansion and protect remaining agricultural land for future food security and livelihoods in Lesotho.
Thabang Sekamane· Land Management and Utilizat...· 0 citations
This study examined the environmental and socio-economic consequences of migration-driven urban growth in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2024. Using a mixed-methods approach integrating remote sensing (Sentinel-2 imagery), GIS analysis, and household surveys (n=193), the research analysed land use and land cover (LULC) changes, urban expansion patterns, and residents' perceptions of environmental and socio-economic impacts.
The findings revealed that built-up areas expanded from 32.37 km² (12.54%) in 2015 to 46.02 km² (17.82%) in 2024, representing a 42% increase. Notably, vegetation cover recovered from 18.60% to 26.88% during the same period, suggesting environmental regeneration. The survey data indicated that migration was primarily economic-driven (75%), with 45% of migrants being seasonal. Environmental challenges reported included deforestation (70%), water scarcity (65%), and land competition (80%). Socio-economic benefits included economic prosperity (60%) and increased agricultural production (55%), while challenges included job competition (60%) and environmental pressure (65%).
The study recommends strengthened urban planning, environmental management, and migration governance to promote sustainable urban development in Jos.
Isyaku M. Bello, Rahanatu Ahmed Bello, Abdulmuhyi Mohammed Bello et al.· International journal of res...· 0 citations
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems, yet they continue to experience rapid degradation due to increasing anthropogenic pressures. This study assessed the impact of anthropogenic activities on ecosystem change in Rugeramigozi Wetland, Muhanga District, Rwanda, between 2005 and 2025. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis of Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with household surveys, key informant interviews, and field observations. A total of 378 respondents were selected using stratified and purposive sampling techniques, comprising 317 farmers and 61 key informants. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Land use and land cover analysis revealed a substantial decline in open water bodies from 18% to 8% and wetland vegetation from 42% to 35% over the study period. In contrast, agricultural land increased from 30% to 40%, while built-up areas increased from 5% to 12%, indicating continued conversion of natural wetland areas to human-dominated land uses. Respondents identified agricultural expansion, settlement expansion, livestock rearing, waste disposal, and water management as the principal anthropogenic pressures affecting the wetland. Pearson correlation analysis showed a statistically significant positive relationship between anthropogenic activities and wetland ecosystem change (r = 0.523, p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis also indicated that anthropogenic activities collectively had a statistically significant association with ecosystem change (F = 3.717, p = 0.001); however, the low coefficient of determination (R² = 0.067) indicates that the activities included in the model explained only 6.7% of the observed variation in ecosystem change, suggesting that other environmental, climatic, hydrological, socio-economic, and institutional factors also contribute substantially to wetland transformation. Livestock rearing was the only statistically significant individual predictor (β = 0.301, p = 0.001). The findings demonstrate that anthropogenic activities are important contributors to wetland degradation, but ecosystem change is a multidimensional process that cannot be explained by these activities alone. The study recommends strengthening wetland protection and monitoring, regulating livestock grazing, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and land-use planning, restoring degraded hydrological systems, improving waste management, and enhancing community participation in wetland governance to support long-term ecosystem conservation.
B. Fabrice, Richard Mind'je, Jovine Nsekanabanga· East African Journal of Envi...· 0 citations
Rapid urbanisation has significantly transformed land use and land cover (LULC) patterns in Kigali City, Rwanda, over the past two decades. This study provides a spatial and temporal assessment of LULC changes between 2000 and 2020, highlighting the drivers and implications of urban expansion. Using multi-temporal satellite imagery and GIS techniques, major LULC categories, built-up areas, agricultural land, forest cover, and wetlands, were mapped and analysed. In order to manage and monitor natural resources and development, particularly urban planning, it is essential to comprehend changes in land use and land cover. Geographic information systems and remote sensing are tried-and-true methods for evaluating changes in land cover and use that support sustainability in planning. Results reveal a substantial increase in built-up areas, expanding from the city core into peri-urban zones, largely at the expense of agricultural land and wetlands. Forest cover showed a moderate decline, while fragmented patches persisted in peripheral areas. The findings underscore the intensity of urban growth, driven by population increase, economic development, and policy initiatives promoting Kigali as a modern African capital. These changes have critical implications for ecosystem services, biodiversity, and sustainable urban planning. The study recommends integrated land management strategies that balance development with environmental conservation, including stricter protection of wetlands and promotion of green infrastructure. By documenting two decades of transformation, this research contributes to understanding urbanisation dynamics in rapidly developing African cities and provides evidence to guide future planning and policy interventions in Rwanda.
Elie Habyarimana, Aboubakar Gasirabo· East African Journal of Envi...· 0 citations
Rapid urban redevelopment is reshaping formerly low-density residential neighbourhoods in Nairobi into compact mixed-use urban spaces. This paper addresses the first objective of a wider Kilimani Ward study: to investigate how land use changes have influenced spatial patterns in Kilimani Ward, Nairobi City County, Kenya. Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing methodology was used with the aid of Landsat images from 1985, 1995, 2005, 2015 and 2025, complemented with Sentinel-2 images and historical images from Google Earth, road network layers, building footprints and field observations. Built-up and non-built-up land-cover classes were classified using supervised Random Forest classification, while the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, Normalised Difference Built-up Index and Urban Index supported interpretation of vegetation decline and built-up expansion. A Kappa coefficient of 0.85 was obtained for the classification accuracy assessment. The results reveal that Kilimani is no longer a low-density residential neighbourhood but rather a high-density mixed-use urban node. The built-up area increased by approximately 25%, while green and open spaces declined by approximately 15%. The proportion of plots covered rose above the previous planning benchmark of 35% to reach levels close to that of redevelopment (90%) for intensified plots. Multi-storey apartments are now the dominant residential typology, representing about 53% of observed residential structures. Spatially, there is a tripartite layout with a commercial/mixed-use corridor along major roads, a high-density residential core and residual pockets of low density or institutional development. The findings demonstrate that Kilimani's principal planning challenge is not densification itself, but the cumulative effect of plot-by-plot redevelopment without sufficient spatial coordination. The study recommends GIS-enabled development-control monitoring, enforceable plot-coverage and permeable-surface standards, corridor-specific zoning, and protection of remaining open spaces.
B. Echessa, C. Mireri· East African Journal of Envi...· 0 citations
Urban sprawl has become one of the most significant manifestations of land use and land cover (LULC) change in developing countries, with far-reaching implications for environmental sustainability, ecosystem services, and urban planning. This study examined the spatio-temporal dynamics of urban sprawl and LULC changes in selected urban (Mokwa, Minna, and Kontagora) and rural (Muwo, Garatu, and Rafin Gora) settlements of Niger State, Nigeria, between 1994 and 2024, and projected future urban sprawl up to 2054. Landsat satellite imagery for 1994, 2004, 2014, and 2024 was processed and classified into three major LULC classes: built-up, vegetation, and bare ground using supervised classification techniques within a Geographic Information System (GIS) software (ArcGIS 10.1). Change detection analysis was employed to quantify the extent and pattern of urban sprawl, while the Cellular Automata–Markov (CA–Markov) model was used to simulate future urban expansion scenarios for 2034, 2044, and 2054. The results revealed substantial expansion of built-up areas across all settlements. Among the urban centres, Kontagora recorded the highest increase in built-up area (219.2%), followed by Mokwa (205.3%) and Minna (136.7%). In the rural settlements, Muwo exhibited the highest proportional growth (333.2%), followed by Garatu (283.4%) and Rafin Gora (95.5%). Conversely, vegetation cover declined considerably across the study area, with Muwo experiencing the highest vegetation loss (90.8%). The CA–Markov projections indicate that urban expansion will continue through 2054, with Minna remaining the dominant urban growth centre (increased by 14,320.8 km² of built-up area) and rural settlements increasingly undergoing peri-urban transformation. Model validation produced high overall accuracies ranging from 93.16% to 96.23%, with Kappa coefficients between 0.87 and 0.94, confirming the robustness and reliability of the projection model. The study concludes that urban sprawl is a major driver of landscape transformation in Niger State and recommends sustainable land use planning, vegetation conservation, and effective urban sprawl management strategies to mitigate future environmental challenges.
Yisa Jacob, Jiya Solomon Ndace, Abubakar Danjuma Sheikh et al.· International journal of res...· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
