Spatial Analysis of the Residential Status in Urban Areas of Al-Anbar Governorate (2024–2034) and Its Sustainable Future Prospects

Abstract

The study of residential conditions constitutes a fundamental pillar of urban and regional planning, as housing serves as a vital shelter for humans and guarantees their social, economic, and health stability. Urban areas in Al-Anbar Governorate suffer from a widening gap between the supply of housing units and the growing demand resulting from rapid natural population growth and urban migration, alongside security repercussions and structural damage to the housing stock in recent years. This academic study aims to restructure housing data for urban areas in Al-Anbar Governorate by adopting the base year (2024) as the current status, and constructing ten-year future estimates up to the year (2034) according to a precise scientific methodology to assess the housing deficit and determine quantitative and spatial housing requirements.

        The research relied on the descriptive-analytical approach to analyze the current population and housing status, and the quantitative planning approach to analyze the statistical data of the study area. The researcher reached a set of conclusions, including that future population projections will reach an increase of (322,964) inhabitants by 2034, while the expected increase in the number of households is estimated at (49,766) households. Furthermore, the study area will need to provide (62,727) new housing units over the next decade to cover the current demographic gap and future household growth.

         Therefore, the study recommends directing horizontal housing investments to address anticipated housing gaps toward the sub-districts of Al-Nukhaib and Al-Obour to accommodate high household densities of (8.99) and (7.91) persons/household, respectively. It also recommends directing vertical housing investments toward major urban city centers (Fallujah, Ramadi, and Hit) to mitigate residential overcrowding, which accounts for (60.8%) of the total housing requirement.