The Impact of Population Growth on Recreational Services in the City of Al-Faw Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Abstract

This study aims to examine the population growth of the city of Al-Faw over the period 1997–2023, and to analyze population density in order to assess the adequacy of recreational service indicators and their capacity to meet the needs of the local population. It does so by developing spatial models for recreational services in Al-Faw and evaluating their sufficiency relative to population size, with a focus on promoting their development and sustainability.

The findings reveal that the population growth rate in Al-Faw reached 6.6% by 2023, indicating a continuous upward trend that has placed increasing pressure on recreational services. Furthermore, most of these services are concentrated in the city center. Through statistical analysis conducted using ArcGIS 10.7, it was found that the spatial distribution of services largely follows a dispersed pattern, which may limit accessibility for many residents.