IMPLICATIONS OF THE PHYSIOGRAPHY OF MAIDUGURI METROPOLITAN ON URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The need for early urban planning of the Maiduguri Metropolitan Area cannot be overemphasized
as it will help in preventing premature urbanization and overcrowding of areas. Urban planners
depend on some physiographical data such as the topography, drainage and hydrology, soil and
vegetation to maximise effective urban planning. Only a small part of the entire Maiduguri
Metropolitan Area was planned and has been developed or developing so far. Vast land area
without master plan is still available and waiting for development. There is the need for Urban
Planners and related Urban Development Agencies to start the planning of the development
processes and stages into which the entire Metropolitan Areas will be utilized for sustainable
development. The planning and development of any area are largely influenced by the
physiography of the area which calls for assessment of the physiography of Maiduguri
Metropolitan Area for urban planning and development. The actual location of Shehu’s palace
was determined through the use of Germin 76 GPS. The Buffer module of ArcGIS 10.7 was used
to determine the 25 km2
radius from the already generated position of the Shehu’s palace. The
relief or topography of the area was derived through the use of SRTM DEM data which was
processed and classified into five main classes: low floodplains, high floodplains, lowland areas,
moderately upland areas and upland areas. The rivers and streams within the Maiduguri
Metropolitan area were also generated from the SRTM DEM data through the fill, flow direction,
flow accumulation and stream order modules of ArcGIS 10.7. Alau dam and Jere bowl areas were
delineated from the 2022 satellite image of the Maiduguri Metropolitan area. Landsat 8 (OLI) image
of December 2022 was acquired and classified into the landcover types using NDVI indices. The
results show the location and spatial pattern of the extent, relief, drainage and vegetation within
the Metropolitan area. Some important feature that may impact urban planning and development
such as Bama Beach Ridge, River Ngadda, Jere Bowl and Alau dam were also mapped and
analysed. The vegetation of the area was also found to be depleting, while land degradation is
expanding in the area. It was recommended that early urban planning and development of the area
should be put in place using geospatial techniques, while the interaction of the Ngadda River with
Jere Bowl and Alau dam should be strengthened to ensure water provision and irrigation services
in the Metropolis