Development and Trends of Urban Growth in Mafraq City, Jordan

Mafraq is the administrative centre of Mafraq Governorate, which witnessed rapid urban growth, represented by population and area expansion. This growth occurred without the use of strategies or tactics to decide its directions of growth. Although Mafraq has had certain improvements in its urban environment, it suffers from traffic jams caused by increased pressure on city services. This pressure has risen because of the Syrian crises in the last two years. This research found the climate, the nature of city, and the axes to main roads contributed for expanding the city in certain directions, while military camps and the military airport blocked the city?s growth in other directions. Besides, there are other reasons that led to growth of the city like founding the railway station, starting Al al-Bayt University, the presence of the military camps, and settling Al-Za'atari Syrian refugee camp. However, these poles played a significant role in shaping the city. This research studies the city comprehensively, identifies forces behind its urban expansion, and examines the effects of this expansion on forming the city. Such a study will help to identify the future directions for expansion. Finally, the study suggests several plans for developing the city; among these proposals to move army camps from the city, since these camps block the growth of the city towards the area of the King Hussein Economic Zone. This change will allow housing projects and development to benefit the city and its residents, which can reduce the pressure on agricultural land in western and southern areas of the city.