Geospatial Assessment of Environmental Impact of Urban Growth in Akure South, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Purpose: This comprehensive study examines the environmental impact of urbanization in Akure South, Ondo State, Nigeria, using a fusion of geospatial and microbiological analyses. Employing Landsat imagery from 2000, 2011, and 2022, processed through ArcGIS 10.8 and TERRSET software, the study maps and quantifies urban expansion and land use changes.Methodology: The research concurrently leverages, microbiological techniques to assess air pollution, as well as water and soil contamination levels. Findings: The result highlighted an increase in built up area from 9.31% in 2000 to 17.45% in 2011 and 29.54% in 2022, which is evident particularly in Akure township area, correlating with a notable decline in environmental quality. Pollution hotspots, identified through rigorous spatial analysis, point to areas severely impacted by urban growth and high level of air pollution, as well as water and soil contamination. In addition, Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) prediction shows that built up area will likely cover about 30.09% by 2042. These findings underscore the urgent need for strategic urban planning and robust pollution control measures. Unique contributor to theory, policy and practice: The study advocates for a balanced approach to urban development, integrating environmental sustainability to mitigate the adverse effects of rapid urban growth. This research contributes to the broader discourse on urbanization's environmental impact, offering valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners in similarly developing regions of the world.