Urban Sustainability Between Administrative Decision-Making and the Environment Source (original) (raw)

The study focused on reasons for creating, spreading and distributing pattern of land uses in "city of Khalidiya" in Anbar province in Iraq, especially expansion and slums areas. The research problem is concentrated in the spread of slums and their causes in two directions: first is an administrative decision and unbalanced planning in areas of expansion, while the second was the natural context in controlling the distribution of lands and crawling over agricultural areas without any planning of uses. The main objective of the research is to define the role of both natural context and administrative decisions in shaping the city of Khalidiya and to determine factors affecting lands, such as natural and human factors and spatial relationships, as well as collecting and clarifying information about lands, economic and social characteristics and services in the study area, as the statistical analysis was used to access to desired results. Model inputs were based on data sources, field surveys, and direct interviews with citizens and decision-makers in city council and urban planning directorate in the governorate. It was found that expansion of Al Khalidiya relies mainly on natural contexts with aim of filling housing deficit only, while all facilities and services were neglected as well as consumption of natural and human resources without thinking about sustainability. The city's layout reflects lack of any exploitation of agricultural areas, potential sites for tourism, renewable energy resources, and environmental and economic activities.