LAND USE LAND COVER TRANSFORMATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AROUND THE KANO ANCIENT CITY WALL, NIGERIA (1994-2024)

This study examines Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) transformation and associated environmental degradation around the Kano Ancient City Wall (KACW) over a thirty-year period (1994-2024). Using multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery, field observations, and semi-structured interviews. Results revealed dramatic landscape transformation: built-up areas increased by 44.86% (from 11.75 km² to 17.47 km²), vegetation declined by 72.75% (from 4.33 km² to 1.36 km²), and water bodies decreased by 76.47% (from 0.74 km² to 0.04 km²). Accuracy assessment achieved an overall accuracy of 85.0% for 1994, 83.0% for 2004, 84.3% for 2014, and 86.0% for 2024, with corresponding Kappa coefficients of 0.796, 0.769, 0.786, and 0.809, respectively. The average Kappa coefficient across all four periods was 0.790 (79.0%), indicating substantial classification agreement. These changes have increased flooding risks, groundwater depletion, urban heat island intensification, biodiversity loss, and reduced tourism potential. The near-total loss of water bodies has eliminated critical groundwater recharge zones, with static water levels declining 4-27.6 meters in certain areas. The study concludes that unchecked urbanization around heritage structures creates cascading environmental consequences that extend beyond the immediate site boundaries. Recommendations include integrated environmental-heritage planning, restoring green infrastructure, and adopting climate-resilient conservation strategies.