r N. O. Alohan

Urban sprawl is a significant challenge facing rapidly growing cities, particularly in developing countries, where unplanned expansion can strain infrastructure, degrade the environment, and complicate land-use management. This study evaluates the urban sprawl of Oredo Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State, Nigeria, using geospatial techniques to understand the patterns, extent, and implications of urban growth from 2004 to 2024. Multi-temporal Landsat satellite images were analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map land use and land cover (LULC)changes, while population data were projected to assess growth and density patterns. The analysis revealed substantial transformations within Oredo LGA over the twenty-year period.Built-up areas expanded consistently, particularly between 2014 and 2024, often replacing vegetation and bare land. Vegetation cover declined steadily, while water bodies and open land diminished, reflecting environmental pressures associated with urban expansion. Population density increased sharply from approximately 1,504 persons per square kilometer in 2006 toabout 2,488persons per square kilometer in 2024, highlighting the strong correlation between demographic growth and land-use change. Areas such as Ring Road, Ugbowo, and Sapele Road were identifiedashigh-intensity development zones, whereas peripheral neighborhoods exhibited lower level sofurbanization. The study demonstrates that integrating remote sensing and GIS provides a robust framework for monitoring spatial development, identifying hotspots of urban growth, and supporting evidence-based urban planning. Based on the findings, recommendations include the institutionalization of geospatial monitoring, development of a GIS-based land information system, preservation of green spaces, targeted management of high-density zones, predictive modeling for future urban growth, integration of geospatial data into planning policies, and capacity building for planners and community engagement initiatives.