Application of Gis and Remote Sensing Methods in Land Use and Land Cover Change Detection, a Case Study of Kisumu East

Abstract

Global population is on a steady rise and this is manifested in the rate of urban growth worldwide. The effect cannot be ignored as it results in unplanned development. In order to plan for a rapidly growing population, there’s need for timely and precise analysis of data to help in decision-making. This research has studied the application of GIS and remote sensing methods in land use and land cover change detection. The focus of the study was Kisumu East sub county in Kenya. The study is informed by inconsistency in data collection by planning authorities due to cost and accessibility factors. The objective of the study was to determine the Land Use and Land Cover changes that have occurred in Kisumu East between the year 2002 and 2022 in three epochs. To achieve this, objective data collection was carried out in which satellite images for 2002,2013 and 2022 was obtained from the Regional Centre of Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), population data from KNBS and training site data was collected in a field survey in the area of study. The satellite images were classified for land use and land cover classes (croplands, built-up areas, bare lands, water bodies and vegetation) and post-classification comparison was done for change detection. An analysis was done relating built-up areas to population changes for the environmental implications of the changes in built-up areas. In conclusion, there was a general increase in land under built-up areas, bare lands and vegetation. Land under agricultural activities and water bodies reduced overall during the entire study period. In regards to environmental sustainability, the study found that Kisumu East is has a sprawling type of growth pattern which is not environmentally sustainable. The study recommended other data sources to improve on the rate of carrying out such studies in future. The study also recommends shorter time period between epochs to improve observation.