The Impact of Desert Climate on Urban Planning in Sebha City

Abstract

The research addressed the impact of the desert climate on urban planning in the city of Sabha, considering it one of the Libyan cities located within an arid climatic zone characterized by high temperatures, scarce rainfall, and frequent sandstorms. The study aimed to analyze the extent to which planning policies take these environmental characteristics into account and how this is reflected in the quality of life and the sustainability of urban growth.

The research adopted an analytical approach that combined the study of long-term climatic data, analysis of urban expansion maps, and a review of the city’s urban plans. It was based on four main hypotheses concerning the weak integration of climatic considerations in planning, the consequences of this on resource consumption, as well as the importance of sustainable climate planning and the role of accurate climate data in supporting effective urban policies.

The findings revealed that urban planning in Sabha suffers from a clear weakness in integrating climatic variables, leading to increased energy consumption, higher pressure on water resources, and frequent damages from sandstorms. The study also uncovered a significant lack of reliable climate data used in planning, which negatively affected the efficiency of urban projects.

The study concluded that there is an urgent need to reform planning policies in the city by adopting a sustainable climate planning approach, providing accurate climate databases, and developing urban designs that are resilient to desert environmental conditions. It also recommended raising public awareness and enhancing cooperation between relevant institutions to strengthen the city's ability to adapt and achieve comprehensive urban sustainability.