The geographical analysis of urbanization: A case study of Kano (Nigeria)

Kano is a city situated in the northwestern geopolitical region of Nigeria, the city which is in the savannah plain is within the height of 481m above sea level. The city is located in the Sudan savannah region of African which lies between the guinea savannah in the south and Sahel savannah in the north. The city, which is founded during 4th century, was one of the most important settlement in the northern Nigerian region that continue to prosper. Kano city continue to gain an importance due to its strategic location and the fertile land that is situated within. The city starts to gain influence after it was captured in 1805 by Usman Dan Fodio and makes it one of the most important administrative center of the caliphate. During the 11th-12th century, the city was surrounded by a wall with numerous entrance gates, during that time, the city with it's about 7500 houses, become the third biggest city in Africa. During the year 1820, the population of the city was estimated to be 30,000 which rise to 60,000 in 1851. Kano city become an important center for Trans-Saharan trade whereby merchant comes to the city from North African countries with their caravan to buy and sell goods. During 18th century, with the connection of the city with many African countries, Kano become one of the first cosmopolitan cities in the country, with a strong influence of North African architecture in the city. In the year 1903, Kano city was conquered from the hand of Sokoto caliphate by the British colonial forces, these marks the new era of British administration in the city. During the colonial regime, the city was also used as one of the most important strategic cities of the British rule of Northern Nigerian protectorate. This earn the city a new administrative and economic importance with the detriment of other cities within the region. The historically known Trans Saharan trade in the city was change to the trans-Atlantic trade by the British colonial masters, after they built a new railway line in 1907 that connect the city with the Atlantic port in Lagos. This marks the new era of trade in the city, whereby agricultural produce such as cotton, groundnut and sesame are transported from the city to Lagos and exported. The city experience a new trend of urbanization during the colonial time whereby the British developed a new urban plan in 1923, which is generally designed based on European city settings. İn the new plan, land outside the old city wall were developed by the British, and many structures are built. Among the early developed areas are the new central business district in the city with offices, post offices and GRA(Government Reservation Area) which is used as the neighborhood for the British, Sabon Gari neighborhood for the non-Muslims migrants. The new layouts are designed with open spaces that separate them. Durıng the years of 1970's, the new layout integrates and forms a metropolitan area. The city continues to attract migrants due to its economic and administrative important, which speed the urbanization process throughout the period. In 1960, the country gains its independence from British colonization, this marks the return of self-rule in the country. After the amalgamation of Northern and Southern regional government and establishment of the federal government, in 1960. New state were formed and Kano city become the capital of the new established Kano state. The city with it old administrative influence since pre-colonial era through colonial and post-colonial era, it continue to experience a rapid population and spatial growth. The city that is known for its commercial and administrative function experience a rapid industrial development during the early years of independence, this triggered the urbanization process, and the city attract migrants from different part of the country. Kano which is one of the city that experience rapid urbanization in the country, is now the second largest metropolitan area in the country after Lagos with the population of more than 2 million people within the metropolis. Keywords: Geography, Urban Geography, Kano, Urbanization of Nigeria,Colonization.