Dissertation_Dr Faisal Almubarak

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government spending, corroborated the consumer-oriented urban economies heavily
relying on state sponsorship and patronage. 10 As such, the urban entity has become a
"closed" economic system, one which receives government funds which in turn are used to
obtain outside goods.
Table 7.1
Employment by Economic Sector (1974)
SECTOR
Percent
Agriculture 4.0
Mining and Rock Cutting 4.2
Manufacturing * 5.2
Electricity, Gas and Water 1.0
Construction 10.6
Commerce, Restaurants and Hotels 16.4
Transport, Storage Freight 5.2
Money, Finance and Real Estate 0.4
Social Services 52.8
Others 0.2
Total 10000
Source: Doxiadis, Northern Province, (1974).
IV. URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN PLANNING
Arar's birth was a function of the imperatives of economic development under the
new nation-state. The very early Tapline's structures, which designated the 1950's
industrial compound, were portable, wooden units assembled to house the Tapline's staff
and their families. According to the agreement with the Saudi government, the Tapline also
agreed to develop a land subdivision, which later was commonly referred to as "Tapline
Houses" (Figure 7.2-B).
The Tapline Houses which constituted the nucleus of newly born Arar were located
across the Wadi of Badnah, three kilometers south-east of the Tapline pumping
installations. Shortly thereafter, Bedouins and other temporary residents pitched tents
while ruralites constructed mud and brick houses in the vicinity of the Tapline Houses.
The combined effects of the Tapline jobs (directly related to the industrial complex), the
provision of health services and water, construction and government-related employment,