URBAN TRANSITION OF WA TOWN FROM 1986 TO 2016: A GIS PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Urban transformation is one of the striking human induced phenomena in the 21st century as small settlements are gradually becoming large urban centres with significant physical transformations and functional changes. This study sought to investigate the urban transition of Wa from the last three decades and beyond. It specifically provided time series information on urban sprawl, population growth and the spatial expansion as well as land use changes and the social and economic issues that arise from the growth of Wa. This study combined conventional Geographic Information System with the accumulated local knowledge of indigenes to describe the urban transition process and explain the forces behind the transition. The population of Wa increased over 110 percent between 1986 to 2016, whilst the built-up areas increased over 1,130 times within the same time period. However, built up density within the Wa town has been reducing since 1984 as a result of urban sprawl. Also, development has been compact in the urban core resulting from infill but extends outwards in the suburban areas as more agricultural land is being converted to residential and commercial facilities. Peri-urbanization is also on the rise and also linear strip developments along roads. These have increased land values in sub-urban and fringe communities. These changes have resulted in poor and uncoordinated developments with poor layouts and few utilities and inadequate social amenities coupled with rising land values. Also it has resulted in conversion of closed woodlands to open spaces, farmlands, grasslands and shrub lands to residential uses thereby reducing the land available for farming. The study concluded that, based on the trend of growth and the rate of growth, Wa is likely to continue its growth trend, moving towards the south and south west of Wa, but will also move Westward and Eastward because of the new tertiary institutions in these areas.