Urbanization Effect on Socio-Spatial Landscape of Lodwar Municipality, Turkana, Kenya.

Background Urbanization is a global phenomenon whose effect and influence on socio-spatial landscape of urban areas cannot be discounted. This paper focuses on urbanization effect on the socio-spatial landscape of Lodwar municipality from 1999 to 2019. The study outcome is critical in providing spatial evidence necessary to support urban governance and land use planning for sustainable urban areas developments. Method This study adopted a mixed research design and employed varied data collection techniques such as land cover analysis and spatial statistical methods. The paper undertook land use/land cover analysis by aid of ArcGIS to reveal effect of urbanization on socio-spatial landscape of Lodwar municipality from 1999 to 2019 at interval of 10 years. Getis-Ord Gi* statistical analysis was applied to measure changes and intensity of spatial concentration of built-up area within Lodwar municipality. Results The empirical findings in this study reveal that Lodwar municipality has experienced significant population growth between 1999 and 2019, with almost double population growth between 2009 and 2019.Rapid population growth, and subsequent urbanization effect in Lodwar municipality signifies spatial tipping point for arid and semi-arid areas which are predominantly communal grazing land. Conversion from community land predominantly for nomadic-pastoralism use to administrative and commercial use, ultimately structures differently socio-spatial landscape of the municipality, as observed through unplanned developments with only 10% planned, expansion of the built-up areas from the core urban areas to the communal grazing fields and increased encroachment to the riparian reserves. Land cover analysis showed increases in built-up areas: 0.126% in 1999, 1.207% in 2009, and 2.516% in 2019. Vegetation cover decreased from 17.97% in 1999 to 13.41% in 2009, indicating a shift from a natural rural to a more urbanized landscape. The Getis-Ord Gi* statistic showed high concentration near the CBD in 2009 and a more dispersed patterns in 2019, with high z-scores (+1.97 to + 2.29) with p-values below 0.05. Indicating statistically significant hot spots. Demonstrating significant effect of urbanization on socio-spatial landscape of Lodwar between 1999 and 2019. Conclusion Urbanization has had a significant effect on the socio-spatial landscape of Lodwar municipality. The findings provide insights to governments and planning authorities to adopt comprehensive land use planning strategies to achieve sustainable urban development and better managed urban areas.