Assessing the Birnin-Kebbi City Master Plan: Paving the Way for Sustainable Development

Assessing the Birnin-Kebbi City Master Plan: Paving the Way for Sustainable Development

Abstract:

This study focuses on the evaluation of the Birnin Kebbi city Master Plan with the aim of providing valuable insights to influence policies for sustainable urban development. The primary objectives encompass analyzing the changes in land use and land cover from 1991 to 2018 and simulating the anticipated land cover change by 2027. Additionally, the research seeks to assess the level of implementation and potential discrepancies within the 1980 Master Plan. Furthermore, the study aims to evaluate Birnin Kebbi’s adherence to international best practices for sustainable cities and proposes the enhancement of a neighborhood and development of a sustainable Land Use Plan to accommodate the growing population.

Data collection and analysis employed Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, and a stratified sampling technique administered through questionnaires. Landsat images from 1991, 2000, 2009, and 2018 were subjected to supervised classification for land cover assessment. The findings revealed a significant increase in urban/built-up area from 1,687 hectares in 1991 to 7,725 hectares in 2018, with a projected further increase of 2,034 hectares by 2027. Similarly, agricultural land expanded from 9,270 to 43,921 hectares in 2018 and is predicted to increase by 2,192 hectares in 2027, while vegetation declined from 73,030 to 54,992 hectares in 2018.

The study also observed that the Master Plan’s implementation was only partially realized, as there was an increase in urban/built-up area resulting from the conversion of other allotted land uses into built-up/residential areas. Regarding compliance with international sustainable development practices, five major indicators were considered, and the conclusion was that Birnin Kebbi achieved a relatively sustainable level of development.

Population growth and government policies were identified as the primary underlying factors driving land use and land cover changes in the study area, leading to an increase in urban/built-up and agricultural land covers, while vegetation and bare land cover decreased.

Based on the study’s findings, it is recommended to implement deliberate measures to control natural population growth. Collaboration between the government and non-governmental organizations, such as the Gate Foundation, UNICEF, and other aid organizations, should be sought to invest in family planning, education, poverty alleviation, and green technology in the state. These measures are expected to improve child survival rates and promote sustainable development in Birnin Kebbi.

Assessing the Birnin-Kebbi City Master Plan: Paving the Way for Sustainable Development.