International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Analysis of The Pattern of Land Use Change in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State, Nigeria

Obongha, U. E.^1*, Agbor, E. A.², and Upuji, Jennifer K.^3
1-3Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Cross River University of Technology, Nigeria. PMB 1123, Calabar, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author

Abstract
This study is conducted in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State with the aim of analyzing the pattern of land use change within the LGA. The study was however, concerned with analyzing the impact posed by land use change on physical development and also considers the impact of population growth on land use change as well as factors which influence land use change. Both primary and secondary sources of data were employed in the survey design strategy of this research. While the analysis adopted the use of GIS intuition in map production for comparing land use changes from 2011 to 2020. The study recommended among others, strengthening of town planning authorities in order to monitor unpermitted land use changes/modifications and uncontrolled development.

KEY WORDS: Dynamics, land use change, modification, population growth, physical development

1.Introduction

Land use involves both the manner in which the biophysical attributes of the land are manipulated and the intent underlying that manipulations as well as the purpose for which the land is put to (Braissoulis, 2009). It is the purpose for which human beings employ the land and its resources. Land use denotes the human employment of land. Land use change on the other hand, may involve either conversion from one type of use to another, that is, changes in the mix and pattern of land uses in an area or, modification of a certain type of Land Use. Modification of a particular land use which may involve changes in the intensity of its use as well as alterations of its characteristics qualities/ attributes – such as changes from low-income to high-income residential areas (the buildings remaining physically and qualitatively altered). Changes of suburban forests from their natural state to recreation sites such as stadia, pools, and housing estates and so on (Aluko, 2013). There is need for planning of land use patterns for better urban development.
The growth and development of urban areas is usually marked by a number of growth characteristics. These are either singular or in combination with other factors that brings about large population and settlements. For example, as cities grow and develop, they tend to involve a functional pattern of land uses. Some of these land uses that are common in Calabar Municipality include the following: residential, commercial, circulation, recreational, agricultural, institutional, cultural and industrial land uses and many more. Studies have shown that there is considerable change in the urban land use pattern of Calabar Municipality, which have deviated from the original planning schemes and however, culminated into irregularities on the land use pattern of study area.