Geographical Analysis of the Spatial Relationships Between Paved Road Networks and the Growth and Distribution of Rural Settlements in Al-Mahmoudiyah District
Keywords:
العلاقات المكانية، الطرق المعبدة، المستوطنات الريفيةAbstract
transportation networks constitute one of the fundamental factors influencing rural settlement patterns and spatial development due to their significant role in enhancing spatial connectivity and improving accessibility to economic and service activities. This study is based on the following main research question: What are the spatial relationships between land transportation road networks and the growth, distribution, and expansion of rural settlements in Mahmudiyah District?
The study aims to examine the spatial relationships between the paved road network and the growth and distribution of rural settlements in Mahmudiyah District, as well as to identify the impact of the road network on rural urban expansion and the distribution of essential services. The research adopts descriptive, analytical, and quantitative approaches, relying on official data, field surveys, and geographical analysis of population, service, and transportation network indicators for the year 2025.
The findings reveal a positive spatial correlation between the expansion of paved roads and the growth, distribution, and expansion of rural settlements. Most population clusters, as well as health and educational services, are concentrated along primary and secondary roads, contributing to improved accessibility and greater efficiency of spatial mobility. The study also demonstrates the role of rivers, canals, and irrigation channels in shaping road alignments and directing patterns of urban expansion. Furthermore, population growth and the expansion of agricultural land have increased the demand for the development of rural transportation networks.
The results further indicate that the linear spatial pattern is the predominant form of rural settlement distribution in the study area, reflecting the close association of settlements with transportation corridors and water resources. The study concludes that improving rural road infrastructure is a decisive factor in promoting sustainable rural development, enhancing the distribution of services, and strengthening connectivity between rural areas and urban centers. Accordingly, it recommends the adoption of planning policies aimed at expanding and upgrading the rural road network in line with the requirements of population growth and economic development.
References
المصادر:
أولاً/ الكتب
1. الراوي، عبد الناصر صبري ومهند عبد حماد الجابري، جغرافية النقل، دار الحداثة للنشر والتوزيع، الطبعة الاولى, 2019 .
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4. الشواورة, علي سالم أحميدان, جغرافية النقل وتطورها، دار الصفاء للنشر والتوزيع، عمان، الاردن، ط1، 2013.
5. الحسني, عبد الرزاق، العراق قديما وحديثا، مطبعة دار الكتب، بيروت، 1973، ص122.
ثانياً/ الرسائل والأطاريح:
1. الجحيمي, علي حسن, تقييم كفاءه شبكه الطرق البرية في محافظة بابل دراسة في جغرافية النقل, اطروحة الدكتوراه (غير منشورة) في تخصص جغرافية النقل, نوقشت واجيزت من جامعة البصرة كليه التربية العلوم الانسانية, جامعة البصرة. 2019.
2. التميمي, نجلاء جاسم حنظله, التباين المكاني للمستقرات الريفية وخدماتها التعليمية والصحية في قضاء المدينة, رسالة ماجستير (غير منشورة) كلية التربية للعلوم الانسانية جامعة البصرة, 2018.
3. خليل, محمد كاظم, العلاقات المكانية بين الطرق المعبدة ونمو وتوزيع المستوطنات الريفية في قضاء بعقوبة, رسالة ماجستير, (غير منشورة), كلية التربية للعلوم الانسانية, جامعة ديالى, 2021.
ثالثاً/ البيانات من الدوائر الرسمية الحكومية.
1. الدليل الإداري لجمهورية العراق، الجزء الثاني، الطبعة الأولى، 1990.
2. الجهاز المركزي للإحصاء وتكنولوجيا المعلومات، جداول مساحة الوحدات الإدارية التابعة لمحافظة بغداد، 2025.
3. وزارة الإسكان والتعمير, الهيئة العامة للطرق والجسور, مديرية طرق وجسور محافظة بغداد, قسم التخطيط والمتابعة, (بيانات غير منشورة), 2025.
4. وزارة الأعمار ولإسكان، الهيئة العامة للطرق والجسور في محافظة بغداد، قسم الدراسات, جداول أنواع وأطوال الطرق في قضاء المحمودية، (بيانات غير منشورة), 2025.
5. مديرية زراعة محافظة بغداد، قسم الثروة الحيوانية، شعبة الإحصاء، بيانات عن قضاء المحمودية, (بيانات غير منشورة), 2025.
6. الشُعب الزراعية في ناحية(اليوسفية، اللطيفية، الرشيد)التابعة لقضاء المحمودية، (بيانات غير منشورة), 2025.
7. دائرة صحة بغداد/ الكرخ، قسم الرعاية الصحية الأولية، شعبة الإحصاء (بيانات غير منشورة), 2025.
8. المديرية العامة لتربية بغداد الكرخ الثانية، (بيانات غير منشورة), 2025.
رابعاً/ المصادر باللغة الانكليزية
First/ Books
1. Al-Hadithi, Taha Hammadi, Population Geography, 3rd Edition, Ministry of Higher Education, University of Mosul, 2011.
2. Al-Rawi, Abdul Nasser Sabri and Muhannad Abdul Hammad Al-Jabri, Transport Geography, Dar Al-Hadatha for Publishing and Distribution, 1st Edition, 2019.
3. Al-Ziyadi, Salah Mahdi and Duha Laibi Al-Sadkhan, Transport Geography and International Trade, Al-Nabhan Library and Printing Press, 1st Edition, 2019.
4. Al-Samarrai, Majid Malouk, Geography: Contemporary Research Methods, Al-Hilal Press, Damascus, 2009.
5. Al-Shawawra, Ali Salem Ahmidan, Transport Geography and its Development, Dar Al-Safa for Publishing and Distribution, Amman, Jordan, 1st Edition, 2013.
6. Al-Hassani, Abdul Razzaq, Iraq: Past and Present, Dar Al-Kutub Press, Beirut, 1973, p. 122. Second/ Theses and Dissertations:
1. Al-Juhaymi, Ali Hassan, Evaluating the Efficiency of the Road Network in Babylon Governorate: A Study in Transport Geography, PhD dissertation (unpublished) in Transport Geography, discussed and approved by the College of Education for Human Sciences, University of Basra, 2019.
2. Al-Tamimi, Najla Jassim Hanzala, Spatial Variation of Rural Settlements and Their Educational and Health Services in Al-Madina District, Master's thesis (unpublished), College of Education for Human Sciences, University of Basra, 2018.
3. Khalil, Muhammad Kadhim, Spatial Relationships Between Paved Roads and the Growth and Distribution of Rural Settlements in Baquba District, Master's thesis (unpublished), College of Education for Human Sciences, University of Diyala, 2021.
Third: Data Obtained from Official Government Institutions
1. Administrative Guide of the Republic of Iraq, Part II, First Edition, 1990.
2. Central Statistical Organization and Information Technology (CSO), Tables of the Areas of Administrative Units in Baghdad Governorate, 2025.
3. Ministry of Housing and Construction, General Directorate of Roads and Bridges, Baghdad Roads and Bridges Directorate, Planning and Follow-up Department, Unpublished Data, 2025.
4. Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works, General Directorate of Roads and Bridges, Baghdad Governorate, Studies Department, Tables of Road Types and Lengths in Mahmudiyah District, Unpublished Data, 2025.
5. Baghdad Agriculture Directorate, Animal Resources Department, Statistics Division, Data on Mahmudiyah District, Unpublished Data, 2025.
6. Agricultural Divisions of the Subdistricts of Al-Yusufiyah, Al-Latifiyah, and Al-Rasheed, affiliated with Mahmudiyah District, Unpublished Data, 2025.
7. Baghdad Health Directorate / Al-Karkh, Primary Health Care Department, Statistics Division, Unpublished Data, 2025.
8. General Directorate of Education – Baghdad Al-Karkh Second, Unpublished Data, 2025.
خامساً/ الكتب الاجنبية.
1. William Cartwright, Geoinformatics for Intelligent Transportation, University College London, London, 2015.
2. Barbara Pernici, Improving Societal Resilience to Disasters A Case Study of London’s Transportation System, Springer Cham Heidelberg, New York, U.S.A, 2014.
3. Chris Baglin, Response to Extreme Weather Impacts on Transportation Systems, McLean, Virginia, U.S.A, 2014.
4. Massimo Losa, Sustainability Eco-efficiency and Conservation in Transportation Infrastructure Asset Management, Francis Group, London, UK,2014.
