An Analysis of Urban Land use land cover (LULC) Changes in Lilongwe City, Central Malawi (2002–2022)

Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital city, has grown nearly tenfold in the last 40 years with a 4-5% annual population growth rate, and the city’s population is projected to double over the next decade. Rural to urban migration and natural increase are the driving factors of the city’s urban expansion. Characterised by the urbanisation of poverty, Lilongwe is experiencing uncontrolled and unplanned urban expansion that has led to the growth of informal settlements. Urbanisation leads to land use land cover (LULC) changes that negatively impact the quality of life and the environment. Lilongwe faces many challenges, including high levels of poverty, inequality, poorly built infrastructure, lack of access to safe sanitation and clean water, urban flooding, and poor waste disposal. Effective land use planning is important in mitigating future urbanisation\u27s adverse effects. To prepare and plan for the inevitable future urban growth of the city, studies of historical land use land cover changes are essential in understanding the urbanisation trajectory of the city. This study used post classification change detection and the SLEUTH urban growth model to analyse land use land cover changes in Lilongwe from 2002 to 2022. Results revealed that Lilongwe’s urban growth is characterised by the expansion of built area coverage within and on the edges of already existing urban clusters. While urban growth is apparent in all parts of the city, it is concentrated in the northwest, southwest, and southeast