Abstract
The growth of the world’s cities is unavoidable as long as the population continues
to increase. However, it is important that these cities grow and develop in a responsible
manner in order to avoid harmful urban sprawl. Sprawl is problematic because it is
unsustainable. Urban sprawl leads to unnecessary expenses, rapid use of resources,
including limited land space, and environmental problems. Sprawl within the desert
regions is particularly problematic due to their lack of resources and the artificial
environment they currently necessitate.
Here two comparable, however, culturally dissimilar desert cities are compared and
analyzed to better understand desert city sprawl and how it is dealt with in hopes of
obtaining knowledge that can be later applied to the development of solutions. It is
determined through this analysis that urban sprawl, particularly in desert cities, will most
likely continue in their problematic nature until laws and policies are developed and
public mindsets changed to make desert living more compatible with the surrounding
environment.
Hamad N. Alsaiari July, 2010