Dynamics of Peri-Urban Land Use Structure in the Period 2000-2022 in Ilorin, Nigeria

Aim: To analyze the trend of peri-urban spatial growth structure between 2000 and 2022 in a rapidly urbanizing peri-urban area in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Study Design:  Longitudinal survey research. Place and Duration of Study: Eyenkorin, Kwara State 2022. Methodology: The spatial data was obtained from the Google Earth Engine Data Catalog, and machine learning algorithm was used to extract and classify three main land uses. Quantitative data was also simulated with the use of the Transitional Matrix that looked at the most likely path taken by the growth structure as it transitioned from one land use to another. The spatial growth structure was examined on a 12-year interval of 2000 – 2011; 2011 – 2022 and 2000 – 2022. Results: The study revealed that the present spatial structure of Eyenkorin (as at 2022) is majorly dominated by vegetation land/agricultural land Area 71.81 km2 (37.1%), followed by built-up land 79.77 km2 (33.4%) and bare land/ natural land 63.42 km2 (27.5%). The study revealed that the most dominant transition in the growth structure within the study time frame (2000 – 2022) is the built-up land which increased by 44.29 km2 (160.94%) and the most dominant loss is from vegetation land/agriculture land which decreased by 75.09 km2 (-48.49%). Conclusion: The findings of the study attests to the vulnerability of the non-built up land (agricultural land and bare land) that metamorphose into built-up land at the peripherals. In the next few years, it can be predicted that excessive unguided land development would have caught-up completely with the peripheral lands at the detriment of placing more need on the preservation of the environment. Government in developing countries should have a concrete development plan that actively controls the unhabitual expansion at the peripherals if sustainable land use and management will be achieved at the Peri-Urban.