Geographical Analysis of Urbanization Development Between 2000 and 2023 in Part of Ogun State

This study aimed at analyzing the spread of Urbanization development in part of Ogun state between the year 2000 and 2023, using Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing techniques. Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) of 2000, Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) of 2013, Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) of 2018 and Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) of 2023 were used. Supervised classification was employed using maximum likelihood classifier to classify the images into Landuse /Land Cover (LULC) classes. Also overlay analysis was used to determine the changes of other feature classes such as vegetations and woodland savannah (Agricultural Farmland) to built-up area and the development and spread of housing generally within the period of study were noted. The built-up area showed a consistent increase over time and this is basically because of increased in population, the presence of many industries across the state which led to creation of job opportunities and thus attracts immigrants, as well as over-spillage of populations from Lagos state and consequent conversion of other landuse classes into residential areas. Also, the extent of the spread of housing developments throughout the study period witnessed the highest growth and spread between the year 2000 and 2013. Between the year 2000 and 2013, housing in urban area grew by 612.26%, while in the 5 years period between 2013 and 2018, the urban development grew by 176.55%, and between the years 2018-2023, the growth rate was 13.132%. The overall period of study (2000- 2023) witnessed an urban growth of 2,128.374%. This finding shows that Ogun State is experiencing rapid expansion as a result of increase in built up areas which is mostly facilitated by Estate developments project by the government and other private real estate organizations and individual buildings. The study has indicated that housing developments in urban area and its functional activities are gradually taking over the marginal lands and it is therefore recommended that there is a need to encourage and plan for balanced growth within the state. From the results generated from the analysis made, it was discovered that the spread and growth of urbanization encroached majorly on Woodland Savannah (Agricultural area) and other vegetation which houses several tons of untapped mineral resources beneath the soil such as gold, iron ore, gemstone, bitumen, feldspar, limestone, phosphate kaolin, clay etc. The balance can be done in such a way that seismic survey can be carried out  on the surface across the study area, and area with less significant or less expensive mineral resources should be allocated for residential development by the government.