Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Rapid Urbanization on Agricultural Lands in Musanze District
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2575Abstract
Urbanisation has become one of the most significant drivers of land use and land cover (LULC) change worldwide, especially in developing countries where rapid population growth and economic transformation exert pressure on agricultural lands. Rwanda, and particularly Musanze District, has experienced notable urban expansion during the past two decades, often at the expense of productive farmland. This study aims to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of land use land cover (LULC) changes driven by urbanization in Musanze District between 2005 and 2025. The research employed remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques, analysing multi-temporal Landsat imagery (2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2025) to detect and quantify changes in major land cover classes. The results are expected to reveal trends of urban sprawl, reduction of agricultural land, and shifts in settlement patterns. Rwanda’s expanding economy and growing population have led to an increase in built-up areas across the country; however, this growth has been accompanied by uneven changes in agricultural land use over recent decades. This study analyzes the spatio-temporal dynamics of rapid urbanization on agricultural lands in Musanze District between 2005 and 2025. The study’s findings revealed trends of urban expansion, reduction in agricultural land, and changes in settlement patterns. The findings contributed to evidence-based land use planning and sustainable urban management, while providing insights for local authorities to balance urban development with agricultural land preservation.
Keywords: Agricultural Land Conversion, Urban expansion, Land use change, spatio - temporal dynamics, Musanze District. Top of Form
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