Dissertation_Dr Faisal Almubarak

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effective planning (Figure 7.8). The Doxiadis study found that Arar's subdivision plan of
the 1960s lacked vision, comprehensivness and a conception of Arar's future growth.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Arar experienced chaotic expansion which took the form of
municipally sanctioned large-scale land subdivision coupled with substantial squatters
communities (Doxiadis, 1973). Like much of municipal physical planning practiced in the
Kingdom prior to 1970s, the 1960s plan espoused a piecemeal, essentially reactive
approach to urban problems and needs. The Doxiadis study characterized the typical
growth pattern. It found out that
Despite the preparation of a plan for Arar [i.e. the plan of the 1960s], the city
developed and grew speedily without [adhering to] proper composition and
without effective essence [substance] which caused the city to easily surpass
planning requirements. This led to imperfect organization of the city's
functions shown in defective land uses which lacked solutions pertinent to file
general needs of the city [sic]. 30
The Doxiadis Associates found a city growing in a "disproportionate fashion" and
that many residential units lacked basic utilities. In 1974, 60 percent of Arar's 2,382
residential units had electricity. While Arar's power station's supplied 750 kilowatt, the
actual need of the city was estimated at 1,800 kilowatt. Residential areas consumed 60
percent of the daily output of electricity leaving 20-25 percent for government buildings,
and 15-20 for small industries (mainly automobile repair shops, construction needs and
everyday services). Sixty seven percent of Arar's households received municipal potable
water while the remaining 33 percent hauled their daily needs of water from community
taps. Arar's garbage collection system handled only 30 m 3 of daily refuse, 120 short of the
actual 150 m 3 daily generation of refuse. The already outdated telephone service (offered
free by the Tapline) provided 99 telephone lines distributed to government departments,
businesses and households. Out of Arar's 47.2-kilometer circulation space, only 3.7
kilometers were paved, and even those lacked traffic lights and road signage.31 In many
instances, solutions to Arar's growth needs were reactive and taken ex post facto.
The 1974 Doxiadis' report concluded with an earnest recommendation that it was
timely to adopt a master plan based on current data, and contextually pertinent analyses of
current growth trends. Because "the city lacks sufficient facilities for its neighborhoods,
which hinders its growth and minimizes the effective utilization of the city," the Doxiadis