Assessment of Urban Sprawl in Enugu City Using GIS and Remote Sensing

Enugu city, the capital of Enugu State in South East Nigeria, has experienced significant spatial growth driven by population increase and rural-urban migration. This study assesses the pattern and rate of urban sprawl in Enugu using Landsat imagery for 2013, 2018, and 2023. Shannon's Entropy Index is computed to measure the degree of urban sprawl and distinguish between compact and dispersed growth patterns. Land cover maps produced through supervised classification reveal a consistent outward expansion of built-up areas into surrounding agricultural and forested land. Results indicate entropy values increasing from 1.34 in 2013 to 1.87 in 2023, confirming progressive spatial fragmentation characteristic of sprawl. Growth hotspots are identified in the New Haven, Emene, and Independence Layout extensions. The study examines the role of informal land markets and weak physical planning enforcement in driving uncontrolled expansion. Recommendations include strengthening Enugu State Urban Development Authority's regulatory capacity and promoting infill development within the existing urban footprint. Keywords: urban sprawl, Shannon entropy, Enugu, remote sensing, land use