SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN OSOGBO, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study involves the spatial analysis of informal settlement in Osogbo, Nigeria. Change detection is important in managing settlement growth and natural resources. It provides quantitative analysis of the spatial distribution of the population of interest, as it brings economic and socio-cultural changes. The broad objectives of this study are to identify the various informal settlements and land use/land cover types in the study area using a remote sensing technology, assess the spatial expansion of these informal settlements between the years 1972-2016 and assess the socio-economic factors responsible for development of informal settlements in the study area. The research methods include in-depth fieldwork, observation, questionnaire administration, interviews, collation and processing of field data and satellite imageries collection and analysis. The research instruments were the acquired remote satellite images of the study area and the questionnaire administered with the aid of simple random sampling. Two hundred and sixty two (262) copies of the questionnaire were administered on the residents of the settlements, while satellite images of the study area between the year 1972-2016 were obtained using Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF), USGS and Earth Science Data Interface. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17.0 was used to analyse the attribute data collected for the study while ILWIS was used to analyse the acquired images of the study area. The result of the study evealed the tremendous expansion of the informal settlements, from 2002 to 2016 expansive Built-Up area is more pronounced with a yearly percentage of 10.32 %. The availability of functioning infrastructural facilities and services such as water, electricity, and telecommunication system have aid the rapid development and growth of the study area. However, it was observed that dense agglomerations of people and economic activities associated with urban expansion impose pressure on the environment which has been shaping the physical landscape and the functioning state of the ecosystem. The result shows that there have been losses of open space and greenery due to rapid expansion. The predicted future expansion for the built-up area for a period of 20years (i.e., 2016 to 2036) is estimated at 45,873.67 ha. The research recommends a constant monitoring of growth in the area by the government and its agencies and storage of these data for proper planning and the adoption of good planning practice by the government. These will enable the infrastructural facilities and services will keep up with the growth of the informal settlements and securing the ecosystem and greenery in the study area.