Urban Growth Pattern: The impact of the number of religious visitors on urban development in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

The rapid rate of urbanization across many cities in the world have created both opportunities and challenges for governments. Scarcity of resources has forced governments to focus on efforts towards sustainable urban development. Religious tourism presents a challenge to urban planning since the religious visitors (RV) tour the cities of religious significance at defined periods of the year. The impact of the high number of religious tourists at different times of the year is far reaching and therefore requires effective planning to exploit the opportunities while addressing any emerging challenges while enhancing sustainable urban development. Theoretically, the opportunities include economic advancement, more employment opportunities as well as cultural exchange. Additionally, some of the challenges include traffic congestion, overcrowding housing affordability and availability. However, the impact of religious tourism on urban development is a sensitive issue based on the religious significance of the cities. Empirical studies on the subject are limited and in particular in the context of this study. Therefore, on this background, an investigation was carried out to find out the impact of religious tourism on urban development of Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The focus of this study was on nexus between religious tourism and urban development, challenges and opportunities, effectiveness of the current urban planning policies as well as best practices towards sustainable urban development in the city. The study adopted a case study approach with a mixed methods strategy, employing purposive sampling to select 11 experts from various organizations. Data collection involved qualitative and quantitative methods, with qualitative analysis carried out using Atlas.ti and quantitative analysis through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Statistical, spatial, and thematic analyses of the data revealed significant insights into the impact of RVs on the urban development of Al-Madinah. The results indicated economic development, creation of more job opportunities and infrastructural development as positive outcomes of religious visitors . In addition, overcrowding. traffic congestion, housing affordability and relocation of the local community (LC) to the outskirts of the city as well as preservation of cultural and historical heritage as the key challenges. The study concludes that adoption of holistic urban planning Approach, economic diversification, sustainable infrastructure, sustainable tourism management, and stakeholder collaboration will ensure sustainable management of the impact of religious tourism on urban development in Al-Madinah. The study recommends an introduction of changes to the urban planning and development policies that ensure a balance on meeting the needs of the local residents as well as those of the religious visitors.