Application of GIS in Urban Master Plan Implementation in Enugu State

Urban master plans frequently fail to achieve their intended outcomes due to weak spatial monitoring mechanisms and inadequate integration of geospatial tools in implementation processes. This study evaluates the application of GIS in monitoring compliance with the Enugu State Urban Master Plan across selected residential and commercial development zones. Land use allocation data from the master plan are digitised and overlaid with current land use maps derived from Sentinel-2 imagery classification for 2022 and 2023. Compliance rates are computed by comparing actual land use patterns against planned designations at the parcel level. Results reveal that non-compliance with residential zoning regulations is most prevalent in the New Haven Extension and Coal Camp districts, where over 40 percent of parcels have been converted to mixed commercial uses without planning approval. The study identifies the absence of a real-time spatial monitoring dashboard as a primary institutional gap. A GIS-based monitoring framework is proposed for adoption by the Enugu State Urban Development Authority, including regular satellite imagery acquisition cycles and automated change alert systems. The framework provides a replicable model for other state urban development authorities across Nigeria. Keywords: GIS, urban master plan, land use compliance, Enugu, spatial monitoring