A Multi-Temporal Assessment of Urban Growth Patterns in Argungu, Kebbi State, Nigeria Using Geospatial Techniques

This study employs geospatial analysis using Shannon’s Entropy to quantify urban sprawl over four epochs (2009, 2013, 2018, and 2023) in Argungu, Kebbi state, Nigeria, which is currently facing rapid urbanization. By analyzing multi-temporal Landsat imagery, the research identifies land use and land cover (LULC) changes and assesses the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas, contributing to habitat fragmentation and infrastructure pressure. The imagery was classified into five LULC classes: built-up, bare land, rock, water body, and vegetation through a supervised classification approach. Results revealed a significant increase in built-up areas, from 2,192.65 hectares in 2009 to 4,277.22 hectares in 2023, with built-up sprawl primarily spreading in the North-East and North directions. Water bodies initially increased due to flooding but declined by 2023. Entropy values increased from 0.724 in 2009 to 0.819 in 2023, indicating a shift from compact urban forms to fragmented landscapes. The study underscores the value of remote sensing and Shannon’s Entropy in monitoring urban growth dynamics, providing essential perceptions for sustainable urban planning and management of both natural and man-made resources in Argungu.