ASSESSING URBAN SPRAWL ALONG MAJOR ROAD AXIS IN BATNA PROVINCE: METHODS AND APPROACHES

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of major road axis, on urban sprawl patterns in Batna Province. The primary objective is to assess how road accessibility contributes to urban sprawl and to provide insights that support sustainable urban planning. Relying on Urban Sprawl Theory and Land Use and Transportation Interaction Models, the research applies quantitative tools such as Shannon’s Entropy Index and the Urban Sprawl Index. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining spatial analysis with statistical evaluation. Data were collected from satellite imagery, GIS mapping of land use changes, official road network data, and population density reports. The findings reveal a significant correlation between the presence of major road corridors and the spatial distribution of urban growth. Higher entropy values were recorded in areas adjacent to these highways, indicating increased urban dispersion, while the Urban Sprawl Index reflected varying intensities of sprawl along different corridors. Furthermore, the street intersection density analysis showed that well-connected areas tend to experience more compact and organized growth, whereas peripheral zones exhibit fragmented and dispersed expansion patterns. These results highlight the critical role of transportation infrastructure in shaping urban development, emphasizing the need for integrated planning strategies that coordinate road network improvements with controlled urban growth policies. By understanding these dynamics, urban planners and policymakers can better manage sprawl and promote balanced, sustainable urban development in regions undergoing rapid transformation.