Digital Mapping for Land Use Planning in Oko, a Rapidly Urbanizing Region of Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of the land-use/land-cover (LULC) dynamics in Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria, over 30 years from 1995 to 2025. Leveraging existing remote sensing studies that utilized multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery, this analysis quantifies the significant transformations in the landscape. The findings reveal a landscape under intense pressure, characterized by rapid urbanization, agricultural expansion, and a dramatic increase in gully erosion, largely at the expense of forest and vegetation cover. The primary drivers identified include demographic shifts linked to the Federal Polytechnic Oko, agricultural practices on marginal lands, and gaps in land-use policy enforcement. These changes have profound environmental and socio-economic implications, including heightened flood risk, loss of biodiversity, and threats to infrastructure and livelihoods. The results demonstrate that arable land has been lost due to the fast expansion of built-up areas, which increased by 48% between 2000 and 2025. The study shows how effective and replicable digital mapping is for spatial planning in settings with limited resources. The report concludes with targeted recommendations for sustainable land-use planning, policy reform, and future monitoring to mitigate ongoing environmental degradation and foster climate resilience in the region.