Journal of GEOScience and Planning

Urban Land-grabbing and Livelihood Options of Small-scale Farmers in Peri-urban areas of Ibadan, Nigeria

2023-06-15T14:04:16+00:00

A gradual but sustained process of urban expansion into peri-urban areas as a result of a rush for land is a widespread phenomenon in periurban areas in Nigeria. This has created uncertainties for large segments of the population’s livelihood options. This study examines the impacts of urban land-grabbing on the livelihood opportunities of small-scale farmers around Ibadan, Nigeria. A mixed-methods research design was adopted. In-depth interviews were conducted with forty farmers (n=40). Landsat imageries were adopted to analyse land use/land cover change. Satellite (TM 5, 8 and OLI/TIRS) imageries for 1986, 2001 and 2021 were used for classification and mapping land use/land cover for the area. Findings from the study indicate the presence of land-grabbing, with varying effects on farmers’ livelihood. It has led to a depletion of livelihood
options for some farmers and changes in livelihood options for others, especially from on-farm or off-farm activities to non-farm activities. There is a nexus between land-grabbing and urban expansionism, with significant negative impacts on agricultural productivity in the study area. Between 1986 and 2021, the built-up areas increased significantly owing to the demand for land for other uses apart from agricultural use. Poor land governance, incoherent land policy and inefficient interaction among emerging local actors in land relations are key determinants of urban land-grabs. Hence, the study recommends the adoption of smart growth strategies in urban centres to mitigate unplanned city expansion that could affect sustainable land resources management in peri-urban and rural areas

Monitoring Mudflat Morphodynamics along the Coast of Guyana using Synthetic Aperture Radar

2023-06-15T13:52:23+00:00

Mudflats, along with their dense mangrove forests and other coastal zone ecosystems, reduce wave energy efficiently and act as natural seas defences. This study provides an assessment of the inter-annual morphodynamics of mudflats along the coast of Guyana using a time-series of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery over six years (2015-2020) in two sites along the coast of Guyana. We demonstrate that recent advancements and availability of SAR remote sensing data allow for effective monitoring of mudflat formation. Sentinel-1 images collected over the study sites were processed and analysed using Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS to observe the morphological evolution of mudflats and identify areas of erosion and accretion at the sampled sites. The analyses show that the dynamics of the mudflats are governed by feedback from various hydrodynamic and coastal processes, principally tidal currents and waves, operating over different temporal and spatial scales. Guyana's coastal zone is essential for economic and social development, ecological restoration and the preservation of natural resources and vulnerable ecosystems that thrive in this environment. The results of this study highlight the significant mudbank movement in influencing the coastal ecosystem processes at the study sites.

Determining the Effectiveness of Adopting the Synoptic Planning Theory in Contemporary Planning: A case study of East Mocha-Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, Guyana

2023-06-15T14:44:34+00:00

Since the passage of the 1946 Town and Country Planning Act, there has been a significant evolution of physical planning in Guyana. In particular, emphasis was placed on settlement planning with major inputs in public participation. The intent of the transformative planning process was not only to address the growing demand for housing, particularly among the low- and middle-income groups, but also to foster transparency in deci- sion-making with respect to the allocation of land and other resources. The aim of the study was to apply the synoptic planning theory with public participation as its cornerstone to develop an effective framework to be used as a model for the development of housing in East Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara. In Guyana, while the synoptic model is not specifically referenced in official documents, planning practice by the central planning authorities appears to embrace most of the key elements of the model and thus provides a basis for its relevance, applicability and effectiveness to be tested. This study was based on a scenario in which 1000 low- and middle-income homes were constructed on a 300-acre plot of land. The data collection procedure involved focus groups of research participants and the perusal of planning documents to garner information on policies and other related issues. The results showed that the synoptic planning theory approach can contribute to settlement planning by allowing community members to freely express their vision and needs in relation to housing development plans and programmes. One limitation of the study, however, is that the planners were not required to consider the views of stakeholders until the end of the planning proposal. The implication is that the planning process deviated from contemporary planning.

Lateral Migration of the Oconee River, Georgia, USA: Piedmont versus the Coastal Plain

2023-06-15T13:32:41+00:00

This paper hypothesises that geology plays a significant role in determining the rate of planform change in the Oconee River. The section of the river studied passes through two contrasting geologic provinces: one with more resistant igneous and metamorphic rocks and the other with less-resistant sedimentary rocks. The hypothesis is that the section of the river within the more resistant geology would exhibit less lateral movement than the section in the less-resistant geology because the rates of erosion would be significantly different. Using aerial photographs taken over a period of 80 years with roughly seven decadal time periods, a comparative analysis of migration rates between the two sections reveals that in the Piedmont Geologic province, there seems to be a less-direct influence of the rock type. Though rocks within this zone are more resistant to erosion, the evidence shows that the channel is still actively eroding and depositing within this zone. There is strong evidence that the material that makes up the bank and bed of the river channel is just as, or almost as easily susceptible, to erosion as the material in the Coastal Plain province. This correlates with the principle that geology plays a role in determining migration rates. However, the findings show that the degree of variability between decadal steps does not clearly show why the rate of lateral change varies from one step to another. Other factors besides geology play a significant role in the rate of planform change of the river.

The Use of Geo-spatial Technologies in Understanding Informal Settlements

2023-06-15T14:34:19+00:00

Informal settlements are typically associated with poverty and slums. This paper presents examples of the use of diverse geospatial technologies to delineate, assess, and enumerate informal settlements: in short, to better understand such settlements. The examples are from three countries, India, Nigeria, and Brazil, based primarily on use of four distinct, yet interdependent, technologies. These examples involve the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in India, the use of classified remotely-sensed imagery in Kenya, the use of drones (as well as smartphone-based apps) in Nigeria, and the use of global positioning systems (GPS) on personal digital assistant (PDA) devices to map and enumerate favelas in Brazil. The findings of the study showed that the use of geospatial technologies in relation to informal settlements are aligned, despite the wide dispersal of the settlements. The study also revealed that a better understanding of the three countries on different continents may help re- searchers in other developing countries to access a wide range of data on informal settlements using geospatial technologies.

The Probable Impact of an Oil Spill on Guyana's Coast: A Case Study of Three Mangrove Areas

2023-06-15T14:16:46+00:00

Exxon Mobil’s production of oil and gas offshore Guyana could have major environmental consequences if the operations are not conducted with technological propriety. Spills associated with oil production could threaten coastal mangrove ecosystems and habitats. This study aims to predict the fate and movement of an oil slick along the Guyana shoreline and to determine its effects on the mangrove forests at Shell Beach Protected Area, Leguan Island, and Victoria. Data for this study were obtained by using the Web-General NOAA Operational Oil Modeling Environment to model oil spill scenarios. Three scenarios were considered in the study. Scenario One envisaged large volumes of oil spill caused by a blowout leak of about 50,000 barrels of oil for 30 days. Scenario Two involved medium volumes of the oil spill, caused by the rupture of an oil tanker leaking about 20,000 barrels of oil over 25 days. Scenario Three utilised small volumes of oil spill from floating production storage and offloading to a conventional tanker, releasing 5,000 barrels of oil over a ten-day period. The results of the three scenarios indicated that oil spill would reach the Shell Beach Protected Area with the highest quantity of beached oil occurring in the winter months.

An Investigation of the Effects of Human Activities on the Sustainability of the Wakanaboo Watershed and its Contiguous River Systems in Linden, Region 10, Guyana

2023-06-15T13:58:47+00:00

Watersheds have been perceived as important ecosystems for a multiplicity of uses, including industrial and domestic. In Linden, Region 10, the Wakanaboo watershed has been experiencing increased pressures, especially from development activities and increased demand for water resources. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of human activities on the sustainability of the Wakanaboo watershed and its contiguous river basins. This river system is the main source of potable water for large sections of the Linden community. A mixed-methods approach, incorporating field and aerial surveys, was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data for the study. Field surveys included the use of questionnaires, water sampling and observations. Aerial surveys utilized satellite imagery and drone technology. The main finding of the research was that uncontrolled population incursions into the Wakanaboo watershed have contributed to degradation of the landscape and its vital water resources which, if allowed to continue unchecked, will not only contribute to the unsustainability of the environment within the watershed but also impact on the wider Linden community. This points to the need for a strengthened legal and institutional framework to
address land management issues in the study area.

Preliminary Study of the Hydrodynamics and Flood Vulnerabilities of the Lower Canje River, Guyana

2023-06-15T13:45:02+00:00

During the rainy seasons of May-June-July and December-January, rainfall along the coast of Guyana is at its peak. Floods often result, causing the inundation of communities and farmlands, consequently resulting in enormous losses in crops and livestock and damage to homesteads. The aim of the study was to examine the vulnerability of the lower Canje River basin to flooding. A mixed-methods approach was used to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data. These include the Google Earth Pro ruler tool for in-situ observation of stream depth, the float method to acquire stream flow, and community mapping to determine the spatial and temporal extent of the flood-prone zone in the study area. The results showed an inverse relationship between temperature and rainfall patterns for most of the period under study. Also, river discharge from the Canje Basin was affected by a number of factors. These include the surrounding vegetation of the river basin and the Torani Canal. These played a role in the susceptibility of the area to flooding

The Effects of Flooding on the Informal Community of Plastic City, Region 3, Guyana Department of Geography

2023-06-15T14:40:38+00:00

Developing countries often face major development challenges associated with unplanned settlements. This study highlights the vulnerabilities of the unplanned settlement of Plastic City, West Coast of Demerara, Guyana, in the context of flooding. The research paper aims to examine the vulnerability of Plastic City to flooding from inter-tidal changes, as well as to identify policy measures aimed at addressing the effects of flooding on the community. A mixed-methods approach was used to obtain data for this research. The findings showed that the community is vulnerable to flooding. Further, it is unsustainable due to frequent flooding, poor infrastructure, limited disposable income, and lack of access to essential services. As such, relocation is the only viable option to improve the livelihood and living conditions of the residents of the community.

An Assessment of the Preparedness of the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard to Respond to Marine Oil Spills

2023-06-15T14:27:49+00:00

This paper assesses the Guyana Defence Force’s level of preparedness to respond to marine oil spill incidents. A mixed-methods approach was used for this study, incorporating evidence from books, journals and articles on military responses to marine oil spill incidents globally as well as information from interviews and a questionnaire survey administered to the ranks of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard. The qualitative and quantitative data collected were coded and organized according to themes which formed the basis of the analysis under the five headings of policies, training, budgetary allocations, manpower, and equipment. The main finding of the study was that the Coast Guard, though equipped with all the necessary legislative power, has been challenged and deficient in such as manpower, specialised trained personnel, and budgetary allocation. This study also demonstrated that in order for the Coast Guard to effectively carry out the tasks set out in the National Oil Spill Plan, it must address the challenges and deficiencies it currently faces.