A Quantitative Analysis of Urban System Trends in the Main Cities of Basrah Governorate for the Period 1947–2024

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a quantitative and survey-based examination of the extent of changes in the urban systems of the main cities in Basrah Governorate over time and space, noting a consistent increase throughout the period 1947–2024. The research relied on analyzing official data, namely the population censuses of the governorate’s main cities, as well as identifying the reasons for population disparities during the mentioned period. The findings reveal the presence of a dominant city system within Basrah’s urban centers, as the main city enjoys advanced spatial development that enables it to control all commercial, industrial, and service activities compared to other urban centers.

The study reached several key conclusions, most notably that the urban system in Basrah Governorate is characterized by instability. Moreover, the quantitative change in urban system trends has been on the rise, with the urbanization rate increasing from 44.5% in 1947 to 85% in 2024