Socio-Economic Mutation and Spatial Expansion of MFOU Sub-Division, Central Region

The issue of the spatial expansion of cities remains relevant in any society. Today, cities are expanding at an exponential rate towards their peripheries under the influence of a set of factors including urban growth. Third world cities, and particularly Cameroonian cities, are characterized by their strong spatial growth. This situation is mainly due to the strong population growth but also to the multiplication of human activities. It is in light of this observation that we have oriented our research on the socio-economic changes and spatial expansion of the Commune of Mfou. The objectives are to analyze the spatial growth of the study area, to identify socio-economic activities, consequences and analysis tools. To achieve this objective, we started from the general hypothesis that the spatial growth of the Commune of Mfou is linked to population growth, the development of construction, economic activities, etc. We have of course relied on documents to approach this study, but most of the work has been done in the field where direct observation, etc. have been effective tools for the completion of this research. Landsat images and shapefiles have also been used, etc. The results of our field surveys show that the study area experienced strong spatial growth between 1995 and 2023. In 1995, the forest occupied an area of 49,070.16 ha and the built-up area 987.74 ha. In 2010, the built-up area increased from 987.74 ha to 2,035.74 ha, the forest from 49,070.16 ha to 48,022.16 ha. In 2023, the built-up area occupied an area of 4,144.69 ha and the vegetation to 45,913.21 ha. This spatial growth without this increase in the built-up area is explained by the increase in the population in the Commune of Mfou. It should also be noted that a large number of elements have led to this spatial dynamic, including activities such as the development of housing and basic social services, the creation of markets, the development of trade, the administrative center, etc.