Application of the Nearest Neighbour Analysis for Measuring Non-Conforming Land Uses in Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State, Nigeria

Measuring non-conforming land uses with the nearest neighbour statistic is practically operational and quantitatively inclined in spatial analysis. The study of non-conforming land uses in Calabar Metropolis is very essential at this juncture when physical developments have become uncontrollable. This study is aimed at applying the nearest neighbour statistic in measuring non-conforming land uses in Calabar Metropolis with a view to determining whether the identified zones of non-conforming land uses are random, clustered, or even. The study adopted field survey method with the instrumentality of the linear planimeter in measuring the Euclidean distances between zones of non-conforming land uses and compared with the professional and acceptable standards. Each land use zone is approximated to a point such that different land use zones produced series of points pattern on the geographic space. However, measurement with the linear planimeter was carried out using map analysis combined with google earth imagery for empirical verification of the landscape. This measurement was, thereafter, subjected to the nearest neighbour test statistic and series of clustered points were produced with the index of R showing 0.25 which pointed towards clustered distribution pattern. The result shows that non-conforming land uses are clustered in certain zones and locations of Calabar Metropolis which resulted in congestion of people and traffic, inequality in distribution of facilities leading to deprivation. The study, however, suggests that the Planning Authority needed to be empowered to monitor physical development and redevelopment in order to ensure that land uses are developed and distributed according to the way and manner they were designed in the master plan.