Spatio-temporal dynamics of the city of Beni (DRC) (2005-2028)

Abstract

Over the last decades, we have observed a demographic densification in BENI town, with an
exponential increase in the population resulting from both growing insecurity in the surrounding
villages and high natural growth. This phenomenon justifies the spatio-temporal dynamics observed in
the town, based on the correlation between demographic growth and the occupation of plots and lands
throughout the town.
The aim of this spatio-temporal study is to see how BENI town is evolving and why; in order to better
manage it, protect it or transform in the long term, and to enable the evolution of this town to be
visualized using satellite images, as land division depends on this to avoid anarchic land occupation.
We used comparative method to compare the data collected on the ground, and analytical method to
analyze and interpret the various maps of municipalities that make up the town of BENI and the
images of anarchic land occupation. QGIS 3.16, Landsat projection: WGS 84 helped us to design the
maps in order to obtain the results of the spatio-temporal evolution of BENI town by municipality.
The drone was used to take the images presented in this work. Previous publications confirm our
results. The spatio-temporal dynamics of BENI town are reflected in the spread of occupied spaces
and the reduction of unoccupied areas.
The main implications are linked to raising the awareness of both local and national authorities to the
notion of spatio-temporal dynamics, which is an inescapable truth, in order to prevent the population
from anarchic land occupation.