Mapping Rapid Urban Expansion and Sprawl in Keffi, Nigeria: A 21-Year Study Using Geospatial Techniques

Abstract. This study analyzes the spatio-temporal dynamics of urban sprawl in Keffi, Nigeria, from 2002 to 2023 using geospatial technologies. Landsat imagery was classified to map land use/land cover (LULC), achieving good accuracy. The results show a dramatic expansion of the built-up area, which grew from 3.12% (495.00 ha) in 2002 to 11.45% (1,813.05 ha) in 2023. Analysis of landscape metrics (e.g., a rise in the Largest Patch Index from 1.1 to 6.3) and Shannon's Entropy confirmed trends of fragmentation, aggregation, and dispersed growth. A sharp increase in entropy in the outermost zones (0.007 to 0.356) signifies pronounced sprawl, particularly in the eastern and northwestern sectors. The study concludes that Keffi is experiencing rapid, sprawling growth, highlighting the urgent need for proactive urban planning and monitoring to guide sustainable development.