Dublin Core
Titre
Aspects of the urban geography of Makkah and Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Sujet
urban geography, Makkah, Al-Madinah, Mecca, Medina, urban development, Islamic city, pilgrimage, religion, tourism, urban form
Description
This study of aspects of the urban geography of Makkah and Al-Madinah is the first effort to trace growth and development of the two cities. The recent rapid growth has been made possible by the great wealth generated from oil in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, although the driving force behind urban growth is the religious significance to all Muslims of the two cities. The recent rapid increases in the numbers of overseas pilgrims, together with the resident population, have encouraged the expansion of the two cities' built up areas and have necessitated the provision of further services. By highlighting the problems and difficulties, those variables which have helped to shape the present situation and establish current trends can be identified.
The thesis is divided into nine chapters, taking into consideration those factors which tend to support or inhibit their existing and future development. In the Introduction, a general background survey is given of the changing roles of the two settlements in pre-Islamic and Islamic times, this followed by a more detailed study of historical change in Chapter One. The question asked at the commencement - to what extent have the religious functions of the two cities affected their urbanism - leads to the study in Chapter Two of the holy pilgrimage itself, the provision of associated services and facilities and the effect of these on the internal characteristics and external relationships of the two cities. The regional resource base for normal and special urban activities is then considered in Chapter Three.
Population and demographic characteristics are examined in relation to process and morphology and urban land use in Chapters four to six, the fundamental importance of the holy status of the city appearing very clearly. Even in the examination, in Chapters seven and eight, of industrial, administrative and social services etc., the internal and external spatial and hierarchical characteristics of Makkah and Al-Madinah are seen to be only understandable in terms of the Hajj and religious status.
Finally, the question of how to maintain viable urban systems and meet all the requirements imposed by the unique status of the two cities is examined, and in the conclusion an overview is made of processes and trends leading up to the situation today.
The thesis is divided into nine chapters, taking into consideration those factors which tend to support or inhibit their existing and future development. In the Introduction, a general background survey is given of the changing roles of the two settlements in pre-Islamic and Islamic times, this followed by a more detailed study of historical change in Chapter One. The question asked at the commencement - to what extent have the religious functions of the two cities affected their urbanism - leads to the study in Chapter Two of the holy pilgrimage itself, the provision of associated services and facilities and the effect of these on the internal characteristics and external relationships of the two cities. The regional resource base for normal and special urban activities is then considered in Chapter Three.
Population and demographic characteristics are examined in relation to process and morphology and urban land use in Chapters four to six, the fundamental importance of the holy status of the city appearing very clearly. Even in the examination, in Chapters seven and eight, of industrial, administrative and social services etc., the internal and external spatial and hierarchical characteristics of Makkah and Al-Madinah are seen to be only understandable in terms of the Hajj and religious status.
Finally, the question of how to maintain viable urban systems and meet all the requirements imposed by the unique status of the two cities is examined, and in the conclusion an overview is made of processes and trends leading up to the situation today.
Créateur
Ilam, Hassan M.
Éditeur
Durham University
Date
1979
Langue
en
Type
Thesis
Identifiant
http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/1871/
http://lallier.msh-vdl.fr/theses/items/show/1129
http://lallier.msh-vdl.fr/theses/archive/files/89b816ba6582f15e96a9b0cd6789e638.jpg