The development of urbanization in the city of Aqaba during the period 1990-2015 A study in the geography of urbanization using geographic information systems and remote sensing

The aims of this study is one studs the historical development of urban area of Aqaba city from (1990-2015). Morever it aims to study the effect of development policies of (ASEZA) on built-up area in the city, and to analyse human and natural obstacles to urban extension. The story use the historical approach to follow built-up area growth in Aqaba city during the years (1990-2003-2015), and descriptive approach to the describe the free zones and its effects. In adeliting the study uses geographic information systems technology (GIS) And (RS) through the classification of space visuals and getting areas containing urban building, and having populated areas maps during the study period. The study concluded that the urban expansion was limited in the eastern direction of the city, because of the difficult of the topography in the east direction, and the expansion was increasing in other directions, especially in the north direction of the city.Also, development policies for (ASEZA) was have a role in building expansion, where urban land area increased by (50900) Dunum/Year since the establishment of the authority until year 2015, with an annual increase of (3393) Dunum/Year. And the number of buildings was increased by (7768) building, with an annual increase of 518 buildings per year. Accordingly, the study recommends encouraging investment facilities like tax breaks and bank facilities for the investments outside city center, especially the regions that are located in the north of king Hussain airport, also establishment of new neighborhoods in the north East sides far away from coast and center regions to decrease pressure on it.