إشكالية التوسع العمراني على الأراضي الزراعية بسهل شلف الأعلى: منطقة خميس مليانة انموذجا

Abstract

The Upper Chelif Plain has undergone significant land use and land cover (LULC) changes due to accelerated urban sprawl, leading to the encroachment on high potential agricultural lands. This study employs integrated geospatial techniques— Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—to monitor, map, and analyze spatiotemporal patterns of urban expansion between 1985 and 2020, using Khemis Miliana as a representative case study. The findings indicate a substantial conversion of cropland into built-up areas, reflecting a critical process of land degradation and spatial pressure on peri-urban zones. Predictive modeling using cellular automata and Markov chain analysis suggests a continued trajectory of urban growth towards 2050 and 2100, with projected losses in arable land threatening regional food security and ecological balance. The study underscores the need for strategic land-use planning, implementation of urban growth boundaries, and the integration of geospatial foresight tools to ensure sustainable spatial governance and farmland preservation in the region.