Detecting Land Invasions and Unauthorized Housing with Remote Sensing
- Arya
- Mar 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 6
The Growing Challenge of Unauthorized Land Use
Land invasions and unpermitted constructions are pressing global issues with significant economic, environmental, and legal ramifications.
Land invasions are driven by poverty, unemployment, outdated housing policies, and a lack of legally obtainable housing options. Rapid urbanization outpaces housing development, while people seek better-located land or hope for quicker access to housing. Shortages of land near jobs, unfair housing allocation, and illegal sub-letting further exacerbate the issue. Additionally, political and financial incentives for unlawful occupations and the illegal sale of land add to the complexity.
Unauthorized developments can disrupt planned housing projects, leading to substantial financial losses. For instance, in Cape Town, South Africa, ongoing illegal land occupations have resulted in the derailment of housing projects worth approximately R1.3 billion.(Ref 1.1)
Between July 2020 and February 2021, the Western Cape government reported 1,014 attempted land invasions, primarily in Cape Town, costing R355 million to prevent. This expenditure could have funded the construction of 2,150 new free housing units, highlighting the significant financial impact of these incidents. The rise in land invasions during the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing housing shortages and economic hardships, leading to increased social unrest and delays in housing project deliveries1. (Ref 1.2)
Negative Impacts of Land Invasion:
Economic Impacts:
Property Devaluation: Unauthorized settlements can lead to a decrease in property values in the affected areas.
Strain on Public Resources: Local governments may incur significant costs in providing services to informal settlements, diverting funds from other essential projects.
Environmental and Sanitary Issues:
Environmental Degradation: Unplanned settlements often result in deforestation, pollution, and loss of biodiversity due to the lack of proper waste disposal and infrastructure.
Health Hazards: Overcrowding and inadequate sanitation facilities can lead to the spread of diseases, posing public health risks.
Land Management Challenges:
Legal Disputes: Land invasions often lead to complex legal battles over property rights, complicating urban planning efforts.
Infrastructure Strain: The sudden influx of residents in unauthorized areas can overwhelm existing infrastructure, leading to service delivery challenges.
Safety and Security Challenges:
Residents Security in danger: With most of these houses being built and constructed by Illegal immigrants or unlawful people and even in some cases criminals, the safety of the legal residents of the neighbouring areas will be in danger.
Safety Issues: Inevitably without any state supervised urban planning rules and principles followed in the invasion zones, the livelihoods of the people living on these lands can be at risk in case of natural hazards, outburst of fire, floods and such similar natural cases or human-induced activities.
Examples and Case studies:
Here we present some examples and real-world cases of the Land Invasion in the African continent that have been reported by news agencies and also more interestingly the cases that were detected by our experts at SuperVision using the Land Invasion Application.
Case Study 1:
Kenya:
Tea Estate Invasions: In January 2025, the Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) raised concerns over a series of land invasions and criminal activities targeting large-scale tea estates. The KTGA criticized the inadequate response from security agencies and the national government, warning that continued illegal invasions, theft, and damage to investments by organized crime syndicates could have severe consequences for local security, the rule of law, and future investments. (Ref 1.3)
Kenya Flood 2024:
Urgent Need for Regulation of Unplanned Settlements Near Rivers
Unplanned settlements along Nairobi's riverbanks, such as in Mukuru and Mathare, have caused severe flooding and destruction due to disrupted water flow. Governor Sakaja has suspended new building approvals to address the crisis. A comprehensive strategy is needed to manage these settlements, improve slum conditions, and prevent future floods by ensuring sustainable development and protecting river ecosystems. Proactive measures and stricter regulations are essential for long-term solutions.
Key Points:
Unplanned settlements along riverbanks disrupt natural flow and increase flooding risks.
Heavy rains recently caused severe flooding, affecting mainly slum areas
Governor Sakaja suspended new building approvals due to unauthorized land encroachment.
A comprehensive approach is needed to manage settlements and improve slum conditions, mainly through moving the people to safer places in higher lands.
Very High Resolution Solution Advantages and Technology:
Supervision Earth uses high-resolution satellite images and AI to monitor land use changes in near real-time with top accuracy. This helps detect unauthorized buildings early so authorities can act confidently and accordingly. Our technology provides clear and precise images, even in tough locations. Moreover, our user-friendly WebGIS Platform lets you easily customize orders based on specific times and areas of interest, making it a comprehensive tool for users.
Case Study 2:
South Africa:
Cape Town Informal Settlements: Between January and September 2020, Cape Town experienced over 300 land invasions, resulting in the establishment of 54 new informal settlements. The city's Anti-Land Invasion Unit demolished approximately 60,000 illegal structures during this period. The Western Cape Department of Human Settlements reported spending more than R355 million to prevent illegal land invasions and the unlawful occupation of completed housing units.
Mid-Resolution Solution Advantages and Technology:
We use satellites to take pictures of the Earth's surface every month, and sometimes even daily. These pictures help us spot unauthorized buildings early so we can act quickly. The detailed images allow us to see new structures clearly, even in difficult locations. Our platform also lets you request custom image collections based on specific times and areas that you are interested in. You can easily navigate, draw, and add your own areas using common file formats.
Key Features of the Detection System
Frequent Monitoring System | Automated Alert Notifications | Integration with GIS Database |
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Benefits for Authorities and Urban Planners
SuperVision empowers local governments, property developers, and regulatory agencies with high-frequency monitoring and automated alerts to detect and prevent illegal settlements before they become a major issue for the municipalities, residents and surrounding environments.
By identifying unauthorized houses early, municipalities can enforce local zoning laws efficiently, allocate resources strategically, and maintain sustainable urban growth. This proactive approach not only protects public infrastructure but also reduces financial strain on government budgets caused by unplanned developments. Moreover, it can help prevent any possible outrageous form of deforestation in the current condensed urban areas that are vital to the locals of those areas. This guarantees also the sustainability of the green areas inside a city to help sustain and improve the bio-diversity conditions.
For property developers and regulatory bodies, SuperVision’s integration with GIS and municipal databases ensures transparent, data-driven decision-making. Developers can safeguard investments by monitoring for encroachments, while regulatory agencies can enforce land policies with accurate, real-time insights. With easy access to reports and notifications, stakeholders can take proper actions to uphold land regulations, fostering organized and sustainable expansion.
How to Get Started
At SuperVision Earth, we provide cutting-edge remote sensing solutions to help detect land invasions and unauthorized housing with accuracy and efficiency. Whether you’re a government agency, municipality, or private organization looking to enhance land monitoring, we can support you with the right technology and insights.
Get in touch with us today to explore how our solutions can streamline your land monitoring efforts and ensure regulatory compliance.