An Analytical Assessment of Urban Land Use in Umm Al Rizam, Libya Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate land use in the town of Umm Al Rizam, which does not differ significantly from other Libyan towns in terms of the diversity of land uses distributed across its inhabited area. These uses are divided into primary categories such as residential, commercial, and industrial, as well as secondary ones including administrative and educational uses, in addition to transportation-related uses. Collectively, these elements form the internal structure of the town. The research sought to assess the pattern of land use in the area. The study reached several findings as a result of spatial analysis. It was found that the area of developed land amounts to approximately 227.6 hectares, representing 47.6% of the total area, while vacant land constitutes 46.3%, covering about 221.1 hectares. Among the key recommendations of the study is the need to improve the town’s infrastructure, particularly through paving roads, as most neighborhoods lack paved road networks and basic services with the exception of the Central District and Al-Shaabiyah neighborhood