From Palm Groves to Urban Zones: Patterns and Past Trends of Urban Sprawl and Land Use Efficiency in Semi-Arid Context, Case of Biskra, Algeria

Cities worldwide are experiencing rapid expansion, often leading to urban sprawl that encroaches on adjacent agricultural land. This phenomenon represents a significant challenge for sustainable urban development. In this context, the present study investigates land use efficiency by assessing the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban sprawl in the Biskra urban area, Algeria, over a twenty-year period. Using a retrospective, integrated remote sensing (RS) and GIS approach, multi-temporal Landsat imagery was processed via supervised classification using the maximum likelihood algorithm. Land use land cover changes were further analyzed using post-classification comparison of image pairs spanning two decades to determine the magnitude, direction, and nature of transformations. Findings reveal that prevailing urban policies have contributed to inefficient land management practices, leading to sprawling urban patterns and significant land-use changes. During the first decade of the 2000s, urban expansion accelerated sharply, with the built-up area increasing at a rate nearly four times higher than population growth. As a result, three previously distinct municipalities merged into a single, continuous urban zone, accompanied by extensive conversion of palm groves into built-up areas. By revealing how current planning practices have contributed to unsustainable land-use patterns, the findings highlight the need to align local urban management strategies with broader global sustainability frameworks that align with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).