Using the Geographical Information System (GIS) Methods in Determination of Landuse Changes at Batu Sapi, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

The study area is in the southwestern part of the Sandakan city center bounded by latitude 05° 48' until 05° 52' N and longitude 117° 58' until 118° 03' E and covers the area of 100km2. The study area comprises the Sandakan Formation which is overlain by the Quaternary Alluvium. The landuse changes is done through the Geographical Information System (GIS) method by using the ILWIS (Integrated Land and Water Information System) software. There are four main stages involved in the GIS method to produce the thematic maps. Landuse map of the year 1980 and 2010 have been used to study the changes at the study area. The results show the percentage of urban area coverage have increased, while the village area have the highest percentage of land diminution. So, with the model of the evolution of landuse, it calls for landuse planning in the study area is more sustainable in the future.