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Urbanization and Urban Sprawl Issues in City Structure: A Case of the Sulaymaniah Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Author

Listed:
  • Sivan Hisham Al Jarah

    (School of Architecture and Fine Art, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China)

  • Bo Zhou

    (School of Architecture and Fine Art, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China)

  • Rebaz Jalil Abdullah

    (School of Architecture and Fine Art, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China)

  • Yawen Lu

    (School of Architecture and Fine Art, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China)

  • Wenting Yu

    (School of Architecture and Fine Art, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China)

Abstract

This novel study explores the driving forces and dynamics of rapid urbanization, highlighting the main causes and effects of urban explosion, environmental disruption, and city pattern transformation. This study was carried out that how urbanization and urban sprawl have influenced the structure of the city of Sulaymaniah in Kurdistan region of Iraq. This is because over the years many urban areas have experienced dramatic growth and population explosion that has resulted in the exhaustion of social amenities in the concerned communities. For this purpose, a qualitative method is used based on in-depth face-to-face interviews with local authority, including planners, architects, and experts of master planning, as well as professors in the academic institutions. This study also utilizes extensive document analysis to present the evolution of urban growth. The findings reveal that the autonomy, political conflict, non-implementation of master plans, and economic prosperity are the driving forces which are accelerating this urbanization process. It is proposed that the practical policies and strategic urban development plans are urgent requirement to control the unplanned urban growth and stimulate the desired sustainable future urban development.

Suggested Citation

  • Sivan Hisham Al Jarah & Bo Zhou & Rebaz Jalil Abdullah & Yawen Lu & Wenting Yu, 2019. "Urbanization and Urban Sprawl Issues in City Structure: A Case of the Sulaymaniah Iraqi Kurdistan Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:485-:d:198678
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    7. Lan, Hai & Zheng, Puyang & Li, Zheng, 2021. "Constructing urban sprawl measurement system of the Yangtze River economic belt zone for healthier lives and social changes in sustainable cities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    8. Batara Surya & Haeruddin Saleh & Seri Suriani & Harry Hardian Sakti & Hadijah Hadijah & Muhammad Idris, 2020. "Environmental Pollution Control and Sustainability Management of Slum Settlements in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-34, August.
    9. Seham S. Al-Alola & Haya M. Alogayell & Ibtesam I. Alkadi & Soha A. Mohamed & Ismail Y. Ismail, 2021. "Recognition and Prediction of Land Dynamics and Its Associated Impacts in Al-Qurayyat City and along Al-Shamal Train Pathway in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-25, September.
    10. Steurer, Miriam & Bayr, Caroline, 2020. "Measuring urban sprawl using land use data," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    11. Miriam Steurer & Caroline Bayr, 2020. "Measuring Urban Sprawl using Land Use Data," Graz Economics Papers 2020-02, University of Graz, Department of Economics.
    12. Leonardo Bianchini & Gianluca Egidi & Ahmed Alhuseen & Adele Sateriano & Sirio Cividino & Matteo Clemente & Vito Imbrenda, 2021. "Toward a Dualistic Growth? Population Increase and Land-Use Change in Rome, Italy," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-14, July.
    13. Yuneng Jiang & Yi Zhu & Yasi Tian, 2023. "Measuring the Urban Sprawl of a Mega-Urban Agglomeration Area Based on Multi-Dimensions with a Mechanical Equilibrium Model: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-22, August.
    14. Kaimeng Li & Shuang Gao & Yuantao Liao & Ke Luo & Shaojian Wang, 2022. "The Impact of Development Zones on China’s Urbanization from the Perspectives of the Population, Land, and the Economy," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, October.
    15. Batara Surya & Agus Salim & Hernita Hernita & Seri Suriani & Firman Menne & Emil Salim Rasyidi, 2021. "Land Use Change, Urban Agglomeration, and Urban Sprawl: A Sustainable Development Perspective of Makassar City, Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-31, May.
    16. Mehrdad Chahardowli & Hassan Sajadzadeh & Farshid Aram & Amir Mosavi, 2020. "Survey of Sustainable Regeneration of Historic and Cultural Cores of Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-21, May.

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