Population Growth and its Impact on Urban Expansion in Al-Khalis City from 2014 to 2024

Abstract

This research examines population growth and its impact on the urban development of Al-Khalis city. To achieve its objectives, the research studied population growth, population density, and urban development, as well as the city's morphological stages. The research employed descriptive, analytical, and historical methodologies, utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques to highlight areas of urban expansion. Field studies were also conducted to understand the nature and future of urban growth. The research aimed to identify urban changes that occurred during the study period and pinpoint the locations of these changes compared to previous years. This was achieved through satellite imagery and calculations of built-up and vacant land areas. The research's significance stems from the importance of Al-Khalis city as the administrative center of Al-Khalis district. It holds economic, social, and service-related importance due to the services it provides to the city's residents and those of the district. Improved security has led to a population increase, resulting in both population growth and urban expansion. While this expansion is necessary, it also has potential drawbacks that may manifest in the near future, necessitating further study to determine the extent and nature of this expansion. The research concluded that the population of Al-Khalis city has increased. (59992) people in 2014 to (71075) in 2024 and to (75789) people in 2025. It also reached an increase in the area of ​​urban growth, as the percentage of built area increased from (2.75%) in 2014 to (3.78%) in 2024, with an area of ​​(0.675686) hectares in 2014 to (0.928352) hectares in 2024, an increase of (0.252666) hectares, while the percentage of vacant area decreased from (85.90%) in 2014 to (82.56) in 2024, with an area of ​​(0.81805) hectares, while the percentage of cultivated area increased from (11.35%) in 2014 to (13.66%) in 2024, with an increase of (2.31%).