ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF URBAN GROWTH ON MOBILITY TRANSFORMATION–DUHOK AS A CASE STUDY

ALAND KAMAL  OTHMAN; LAYLA M.  RASWOL

doi:10.26682/sjuod.2024.27.1.1

ALAND KAMAL OTHMAN Dept. of Spatial Planning, College of City and Regional Planning University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region–Iraq
LAYLA M. RASWOL Dept. of Spatial Planning, College of City and Regional Planning University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region–Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26682/sjuod.2024.27.1.1

Keywords: Urban growth, Car Oriented Development, Public Transportation, Land use, Vehicle Occupancy.

Abstract

Duhok’s rapid urban growth with its car-oriented transport system in the recent decades has raised concerns about its future implications on residents and the environment. The increase in the number of cars, a lacking alternative transport system, and investment in car responsive facilities are causing constant issues of traffic congestion and environmental degradation. This study will investigate the impact of the rapid urban growth in Duhok city and the history and problems of the city transport system across decades. Findings show that the previous public transport system disappeared, reportedly, due to political and security reasons, changes in affluence and economic development, trading patterns of private cars and taxies into the region, complications in government revenue, and priorities of development and planning directions. Furthermore, the government prioritized constructing car responsive infrastructure of roads, bridges, and car parks, resulting in degradation of land and resources and gradual replacement of green and open spaces in favor of car-oriented land use. This car-oriented trend is further shown through the city’s low vehicle occupancy rate, which shows an average rate of 1.56 and high household vehicle ownership.

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