Geographical Determinants of the Structural and Functional Growth of Damaturu Town in Yobe State, Nigeria

Damaturu town became the capital of Yobe State when the state was created in 1991. Since then, the town has been experiencing rapid changes in the landuse/landcover types due to urban expansion, economic development, and social transformation in the town. This study examined the geographical determinants of the growth of Damaturu town from 1986 to 2009. The satellite imageries of Damaturu were obtained processed and analysed using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System techniques to determine the growth rate of the town within the period of study. This was complemented with the information acquired from the field survey to achieve the objectives of the study. Findings revealed that within this period (1991-1999), Damaturu built-up area increased about four times while the urban area increased more than four times. This significant growth was influenced by the location of the administrative offices and housing estates at the periphery of the town, categorisation of the land into administrative, residential, commercial, and industrial areas; as well as the transportation network and substantial population growth within the period. The most influential change within the second period (1999-2005) was increased agriculture and significant urban expansion. Within the current period (2005-2009), the urban area expanded by about 22Km2. This remarkable expansion of urban area is responsible for the significant reduction of more than two-third of Damaturu wetland and significant reduction of shrub land. The geographical determinants of change within the period is the location of the State University, the construction of over 1000 housing units at Gujba and Gashua roads, as well as the relocation of other government ministries and agencies far away from the centre of Damaturu town. Besides, the structural growth of the town within this period engulfed four nearby villages. This study demonstrated the role of Remote Sensing and GIS techniques in understanding the dynamics of urban growth. Therefore, GIS should be employed for continuous monitoring and management of landuse change in the town to control development.