Changes in Population Growth and Urban Space in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study focused on changes in population growth and urban space in Makkah city. The research examined population size and growth based on the 1974, 1992, 2004 and 2010 census data. It concerned with studying the stages of urban growth in Makkah city, identify the directions of its horizontal growthand development through the addition of built-up area. The study’s most important methodological approach was to blend data on population and urban growth from Makkah Al-Mukarramah’sevolution over time, analyze the relationship between these aspects, and identify the extent of built-up area’s capacity to absorb population increases. The results indicate the extent of the balance between supply (urban growth) and demand (population growth), as well as the evolution of urban density and per capita built-up area, which helps to identify population densification processes. The study’s findings include future scenarios for this city with regard to population and built-up area, including estimates of the city’s future population size and trends in urban growth.