Application of Geospatial Technologies in Monitoring Urban Growth: a Case Study of Ahero Town

Abstract

With over 80% of global GDP created in cities, urbanization may contribute to long-term growth if properly managed. Cities must act fast to plan for expansion and provide the fundamental services, infrastructure, and affordable housing that their growing populations require. Urbanization occurs at the expense of transformation of other landscapes, hence the process of urbanization has a large influence on landscape and ecosystem function. This study aimed at mapping land use and land cover changes within Ahero Town over a period of 18 years using high resolution Google Earth Images at 6 years interval between 2003 and 2021.Random Tree Classification technique was used to classify the images.Change detection techniques was used to determine quantity and tendency of transition from one land cover class to another. TerrSet Geospatial Monitoring and Modeling System was used to carry out a prediction analysis of 2030. The results obtained met the objectives of the study as they clearly indicated that the rate at which buildings have been increasing in Ahero town has been too high considering the significant decrease in the bare land. The conclusion drawn from the study indicate that the urban growth in Ahero town has significantly influenced the change in land use and the uneven growth experienced in the town. To improve on this, recommendations such as adopting GIS that would enable management through monitoring, managing and addressing the urban growth experienced in the town were suggested.