Resumen de Exploring the potential usage of underused urban space: hajj sites in mecca as case study
The term Underused Urban Spaces (UUS) refers to spaces within urban areas that have become unused, or that are being used to a lesser degree than they could or should be. The emergence of such spaces has therefore encouraged researchers, urban planner, social and local authorities to explore ways in which to utilise these spaces in alternative ways, particularly in order to bring about positive social, economic and environmental benefits.
Since the Islamic pilgrimage sites, known as the Hajj Sites (HS), are viewed as a type of UUS, the main objective of this research is to explore the effectiveness of using the HS in a different manner, specifically when the Hajj is not occurring. This investigation was conducted by exploring the different aspects that may inform how likely it is that the use of the HS might be a success. This was achieved by exploring their internal and external features, the potential benefits due to their location, along with the possibilities they offer in terms of people accepting the alternative use of the HS when the Hajj is not in progress.
Current theory and information regarding practices relating to the UUS concept and the HS was gathered from secondary data sources. Subsequently, a quantitative approach was adopted in order to achieve the goals set out for the research, which employed advanced urban analysis methods, including remote sensing and GIS techniques, a morphological index, multiple regression analyses and online questionnaires. Therefore, all of these components aimed to enhance the outputs of the research.
The results showed that using the HS when the Hajj is not taking place has the potential to be hugely effective and advantageous, mainly as the sites possess the capacity to be used for this purpose. Their internal potential includes the diversity and quality of their existing facilities, and their external potential encompasses their connectivity and the proximity of their surroundings. Their future potential can be demonstrated by Mecca¿s urban growth patterns, alongside the social potential, which is represented by people¿s acceptance in terms of the possibility of using the HS differently and when the Hajj is not in progress. Their willingness to utilise the facilities at alternative times, if this was offered, is also of significance. The methods employed in this research could also be applicable with regard to future research focused on examining either HS or similar contexts, possibly in a comparative study.
