Urban expansion and its implications upon agricultural lands in Bahrain a planning perspictive_202012479_Mohamed_14-APR-2025

Abstract

Abstract : Urban expansion is a global phenomenon and cannot be limited to a specific country. The population boom and migration from rural areas to cities are among the main causes of the increase in the urban expansion phenomenon. Studies have shown that this has negatively affected societies, economies, and the environment. This is what researchers warned of in Bahrain, where they explained that neglecting the environment and land use in urban expansion will cause many economic, environmental, and social issues. Accordingly, this thesis was conducted to analyze the implications of urban expansion in Bahrain and come up with recommendations and proposals to develop and enhance urban planning and land use. Mixed methods were used to analyze the research. Satellite imagery of multiple areas in Bahrain was analyzed to identify and map the geographical changes over the years. Furthermore, interviews were conducted with urban planning specialists to understand the causes and consequences of urban expansion and come up with comprehensive recommendations. The interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis due to the ability to build theories and develop comprehensive recommendations After analyzing the satellite images, it was found that there was a significant decrease in agricultural areas. For example, between 1968 and 2023, agricultural areas in Segaya decreased from 77% to 10% of the total area. The satellite image analysis was consistent with the results of the thematic analysis. It was revealed that the decrease in agricultural areas is due to several reasons, including the demand for horizontal urban expansion and a lack of oversight from the responsible authorities. Therefore, the decrease in agricultural areas leads to deteriorating air quality and increasing pollution, which negatively affects the environment. The third participant emphasized that the approach adopted in Bahrain for urban expansion will result in major problems for future generations, including land shortages. However, several proposals were extracted, including controlling urban expansion, adopting smart agricultural technologies, and raising awareness. Ultimately, this thesis emphasizes that preserving and enhancing the remaining agricultural areas in Bahrain is of utmost importance, and the opportunity still exists.