SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF URBANIZATION IMPACTS ON WATER RESOURCES USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM IN KANO CITY
- Authors
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Ajibade Fidelis Odedishemi
Federal University of Technology, Akure, PMB 704, Nigeria
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- Keywords:
- Urbanization, Water resources, Geographic Information System (GIS);, Groundwater depletion, Sustainable urban planning
- Abstract
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Urbanization is a global phenomenon, with over half the world’s population now residing in urban areas. Rapid urban expansion, particularly in developing regions like Africa and Asia, exerts immense pressure on natural resources, especially water. This study employs Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques to assess the spatial impacts of urbanization on water resources in Kano, Nigeria. Using high-resolution Landsat TM, ETM+, and OLI satellite imagery, land-use changes, groundwater levels, and surface water distribution from 1994 to 2024 were analyzed. The Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) reveals a decline in groundwater abundance as built-up areas expanded from 38.4 km² to 40.1 km², driven by intensive urbanization and agricultural activities. While groundwater stress remains minimal in Kano’s original urban core, newly developed metropolitan areas experienced significant depletion between 2014 and 2024. Projections suggest continued groundwater reduction if urbanization persists. These findings underscore profound transformations in Kano’s hydrological cycle, marked by disparities in water availability across urban zones. The study provides critical insights for policymakers and water resource managers, emphasizing the need for sustainable urban planning to mitigate water scarcity in fast-growing cities like Kano.
- Author Biography
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