Population Growth and Urban Expansion: Implications for Urban Planning

Abstract

As the world population continues to gravitate towards urban centres, challenges associated with an increase in urban population, such as increasing demand for urban infrastructure, social amenities, and living space, are beginning to overwhelm urban planners and managers. This has led to uncontrolled and unsustainable urban growth, especially on the urban fringes. The research is aimed at assessing the degree of expansion and development plans for Birnin Kebbi town for sustainable development. Landsat images from 1991 and 2018 were classified to determine urban expansion. In order to illustrate the trends in urban expansion, the official Master Development Plans between 1980 and 2017 of the study region were also scanned, georeferenced, processed, and digitalized. The study revealed that with a population of 44,600 in 1980 and an expected increase of approximately 87,000 inhabitants by 2000, 1450 ha were budgeted for the residential area. As of 1991, the population of Birnin-Kebbi had increased to 119,000, and according to Landsat image classification, there are currently 1,687 ha of built-up areas. In 2018, with an estimated population of 339,000 inhabitants, the urban/built-up area covered 7,725 ha. The results show that the rise in urban/built-up areas was caused by population growth and the conversion of other authorised or classified land uses into built-up/residential areas. This study recommended that urban planners adopt a compact city planning model that encourages vertical urban growth and ensures sustainable development.