A GIS-based assessment of land use and land cover changes in “no man’s land” of Fagge Local Government, Kano metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Over recent decades, global land use and land cover (LULC) have changed significantly due to climate variability, global warming, and increasing anthropogenic activities. Assessing LULC changes in No Man’s Land, Kano, is crucial for urban planners and environmental management agencies in Kano State, as such data support informed decision-making and sustainable planning. Remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide efficient tools for mapping, classifying, and monitoring LULC changes over time. This study assessed and analyzed land-use changes in the No Man’s Land area of urban Kano using a supervised image classification technique in ArcGIS 10.3. Satellite images acquired in January 2000 and January 2016 were analyzed and classified into four major land-use categories: agricultural land, natural vegetation, bare land, and built-up areas. Change-detection analysis was conducted to compare variations in land-cover classes between the two periods. The findings revealed notable increases and decreases across different land-use categories, including a complete (100%) loss of one land-use class attributable to rapid urbanization. In addition, questionnaires were administered to residents to identify factors driving these changes, associated challenges, and possible mitigation measures. The study provides valuable insights for urban planning and sustainable land management in Kano Metropolis.